It was late in the evening; but who was he kidding, it was late at night! But what did it matter anyway?

With his gaze fixed on the raindrops wetting the window glass, Richard downed yet another glass of wine; he had chosen that drink instead of his usual shots with the illusion that his hangover would come on more slowly.

Obviously he was wrong.

Sitting in the new armchair, with his legs resting on the arms of the nearby sofa, the only piece of furniture to have been saved from his outburst of anger, he felt his mind becoming clouded and his eyelids becoming increasingly heavier; he would surely have fallen asleep if it hadn't been for the sudden presence that appeared in the room.

- Hello brother, how is the self-destruction process going? -.

The young man smiled at the kunoichi's mocking tone: - Oh, I'm not complaining... The poison I chose for my slow end has a delicious aroma... -, he took another sip, then indicating with a nod to the bottle nearby, - There isn't much left but... if you want to take some... -.

- Don't be ridiculous Daichi, you know I don't-! -, Karai didn't have time to finish the sentence before she found herself having to avoid being hit by the glass that her brother had thrown at her, now shattered against the wall, the red wine staining it like a dark bloody stain.

- Don't call me that Karai…-, Richard hissed threateningly, his eyes boiling with sudden anger. He hated hearing that name that he didn't want to be associated with in any way.

The girl bit her lips, preventing herself from replying with a sarcastic dig; Daichi...or rather, Richard, did not have the same patience as their father, especially not under the influence of alcohol.

- Whatever...-, she murmured, then carefully approaching him and handing him another glass taken from the nearby table, next to the bottle.

- Thank you sis... you're so kind... -, he smiled at her affably now, the anger completely gone from his face; he drank the wine, then he let his head fall back with a tired sigh, - I hate this side of me... it reminds me too much of him...-, he whispered more to himself than to his sister, while she sat on the arm of his chair, next to him.

- I hate you too when you're in this state brother, but I forgive you -, she conceded, running a hand through his neon green hair, before letting out another comment: - It's about time you dyed your hair again, I can see the regrowth, big brother -.

He wasn't looking at her, but he knew full well that she was smiling mischievously.

- Don't bother me Karai…-, he replied, sticking his tongue out at her very childishly, making her giggle which he joined in shortly after; he let her continue stroking his hair, moving his face slightly so he could look at her face.

Karai had grown up; the last time they had seen each other was before he fled from his father's tyranny once again, with her ultimately refusing to follow him out of a loyalty that he would never be able to understand. She was just a child then, while she was now blossoming into all her tremendous beauty. Richard raised his hand a little, running his fingers over her soft cheek, feeling the softness of her white skin under his fingertips. God, how he had missed her!

Without realizing it he had to voice what he was thinking, because Karai giggled once again, shaking her head a little: - I didn't remember you being so sentimental brother. Maybe you should stop drinking that wine before you can say anything else that I could blackmail you with -.

A cheeky grin made its way onto the boy's face: - Be careful little girl, you don't know what you're saying... Don't play with fire if you don't want to end up toasted... -. It wasn't a real threat, but Richard still had to maintain his image as her older brother against her impertinence.

- Tell me instead... what's new? - he asked after a few seconds in which they had both enjoyed a placid silence, interrupted only by the pouring of the rain.

- Our father is as usual stubborn and focused on seeking his own revenge against his enemies. He doesn't want to listen to reason, although there would be more serious problems than destroying Hamato Yoshi -.

- Let me guess... An alien invasion for example? -.

Richard's words were followed by a silence full of questions, during which the boy continued to drink wine, the pleasant sensation of the imminent hangover slowly making its way into his mind.

- How did you…? -

- I have my informants, little sister - he smiled sardonically without letting her finish her question, - If you thought you were going to surprise me, I unfortunately have to dampen your enthusiasm. I also know about the turtles -.

- What the hell Richard! -, she blurted out, suddenly angry, - Then why on Earth did you ask me to come here for? Do you have any idea of how much I risked to come here? -, she stood up, taking a few steps away from him, an almost betrayed expression on her face, thickened by the heavy makeup in black and red shades around her eyes.

The boy was not surprised by that outburst of anger, in fact he almost expected it after all: Karai had always been a girl who had had to fight to obtain a position of respect, and seeing herself outclassed like that, even if it was just poor information, it had certainly offended her ego.

He smiled at her calmly, beckoning her to come closer: - The fact that I wanted to see you again after years of distance isn't enough for you, Karai? -.

She, however, did not come closer, continuing to glare at him: - You know my situation brother. The fact that you put me in danger just for a sentimental issue... -.

- You wouldn't be in danger if you hadn't refused to come with me when I asked you -, the boy replied abruptly, as poisonous as a viper, letting the alcohol do the talking; he immediately regretted it when out of the corner of his eye he saw the girl move away towards the window to leave.

He let out a sigh… Sometimes he really acted like an idiot…

- Karai, wait. Please-, he added in an almost pleading tone.

The young woman stopped, but without turning, waiting.

- I know our father enough to know that he will try to drag you to Hell with him. Be smart and instead try to ally yourself with what he calls our "enemies", instead of fighting them. It would be the right thing to do to survive, believe me... -.

The last thing he heard before falling asleep from the wine was the apartment window closing behind the kunoichi.