I am free from the evil called homework!!
I was standing outside, looking at the door to my house and wondered how I should enter as I knew there was a freaked out Hal on the other side.
I just sighed. 'Might as well get it over with.' I thought and opened the door to face the inevitable.
As I predicted, I was immediately greeted with a giant hug by the Green Lantern. "I was so worried about you! I called you about 10 times! Why didn't you answer?!" He shouted at me with relief in his tone.
I looked at Hal and my eyes softened. Maybe I don't have Jiraiya or anyone else from my old world, but I still have the League.
I shook my head. "I saw someone I knew, but he didn't...remember me. I just got upset by that fact."
Hal looked at my face closely and then narrowed his eyes as he sniffed the air around me. "Were you...drinking?" He asked me as he could smell the alcohol on me.
I scratched the back of my head. "Just a little..." I knew that none of my friends liked it when I drink, especially alone.
Not only is it illegal, but the places I go to to get drunk are usually very shady at best, filled with dangerous customers, because I can't get my hands on any alcohol in a legal bar. Most sane people wouldn't get drunk in a place like that as most get taken advantage of or killed.
Hal raised his eyebrows and I groaned mentally as I knew a lecture was coming. "How many shots is 'just a little,' can I ask?"
I pretended to count on my fingers, just to give myself some time. Hal gave me 'the look'. "Tsunade!"
I raised an eyebrow. 'Wow, my full name. He's really not happy.' I sighed, then shrugged carelessly. "I stopped counting after 50."
The usually smiling hero wasn't smiling at the moment as he looked pretty pissed at me. "Over 50?! Are you kidding me?!"
I crossed my arms. "What is the big deal?! You know I can handle it. It's not like I'm going to die!"
The Lantern groaned. "That's not the point!"
I put a hand on my hips. "Then what is the point?!" Seriously, not even Shizune was this annoying about my drinking habits!
Hal narrowed his eyes at me. "The point is that alcohol doesn't solve a single thing! It may let you forget temporarily, but the problem will always come back to you! If you want to relieve the pain, then come to me or someone else! Stop turning to things that will only cause you health problems!"
I started to get pissed, too, but I don't know at who or what. "'Health problems', my ass! I can heal myself from the damages the alcohol causes! Stop worrying about me!"
Hal looked even angrier than before, which I didn't know was possible for him. "How can I not worry?! You're always so strong and filled with the pride of a warrior, but when I look at you now, all I can see is a pitiful and weak spirited little girl!!"
His words...they're breaking me, but he keeps going. "You act as if sharing your pain will break us! You act as if we'll be crushed by your burdens. We're not that weak!! Is it that hard to just tell us?!"
I put my hands over my ears. "Shut up! You know nothing about what I'm going through!!"
"It's exactly because I know nothing, that the rest of the league knows nothing, that I want you to tell one of us!!" Hal answered back with more rage. "Aren't we friends?! Have all the parties and hang outs been for nothing?! Did they mean anything to you?!"
I gritted my teeth at that. All those times we hung out together have been one of the best moments of this life. You treat me as an equal, even when I'm a child. How could I think of it as nothing to me?!
I looked at Hal in the eyes and then I saw it.
For a moment, I saw Jiraiya in place of Hal. 'If you want someone to talk to someone about Nawaki or...Dan, you can contact me anytime. Alcohol can't hug you or bring any comfort a human being can, you know.'
Flashback:
Back at Konoha
Jiraiya looked at me with shock as I packed all the necessities. "You're...leaving the village?"
I nodded as I packed a couple books. "Yeah. I got permission from Sensei and I'm taking Shizune with me." I stopped moving as I looked at him. "I can't stay here anymore, but I won't leave Shizune either."
I saw pain in his eyes. "Am I...not enough for you to stay?"
I sighed at this as my heart clenched. "Of course not. You're never around. You always travel and you've recently been busy with those orphans, right? I hope you're planning on checking on them at least once in a while. Just because they're strong doesn't mean they have 100% chance of living in this cruel world."
The usually carefree smile I always see is replaced with a bitter one. "Not even going to ask me to go with you?"
I turned away from him. "Even if I did want you to come with me, you're a bird who hates being caged. You will always go where you want to go and where you need to be, and that place is rarely by my side."
He sighs sadly. "You're not wrong, I guess, but if you want someone to talk to someone about Nawaki or...Dan, you can contact me anytime. Alcohol can't hug you or bring any comfort a human being can, you know."
I looked at a picture of Dan. "Trust me, I know that all too well." I whispered to myself.
Flashback end
Memories filled my mind as unsuccessfully tried to block them out. Why does Hal have to be so much like him in times like this?!
Tears started forming in my eyes and I started to shake. "Why..." I whispered before shouting. "Why doesn't he remember me?!!" The tears came rushing down my cheeks.
Hal started to rub my back a little. "Scream however much you want."
More tears came down as I pushed him away to go to the nearest wall. "I always knew that dumbass was going to have memory loss sooner or later due to how many times I hit him for his perverted antics, but couldn't he have chosen a better timing?!" I screamed, kicking and punching the wall without chakra as I felt all of my frustrations coming out.
"Pervert!" A swift kick.
"Idiot!" A solid punch.
"Stupid kabuki wannabe!" Another punch.
After what seemed like hours, which in reality was probably just minutes, I finally was able to calm down and felt a little better.
"Feeling better?"
I wiped my eyes as I looked at Hal in the eyes. "Yeah, thank you, Hal. Maybe you're not a complete idiot." I said as I expressed my gratitude.
Hal smiled a little before sniffling fake tears. "How mean! I was trying to be a nice person, but all I get is a half compliment and half insult!"
I smiled back as I felt the air lighten a little. "I didn't say anything that wasn't true, but, you know," 'Jiraiya' ", being an idiot isn't necessarily a bad thing." I laughed while saying this.
Hal laughed with me. "Then I guess it's a full compliment? Whatever. I have a lot of questions about the 'dumbass' you were referring to and who he is, but I think I'll refrain for now. You look pretty tired. Get some rest."
I rubbed my eyes a little. I guess all of that crying is taking a toll on me. "Yeah, I think I'll take that advice. Thanks, Hal." I started to go upstairs before looking back. "Goodnight."
He opened the door was was ready to leave. "Goodnight, Tsu. I know that 'amnesia guy' will remember you eventually." He closed the door.
I looked out the window. "I sure hope so."
My phone started to beep a little. I looked at it and saw a text message from Diana.
I smirked a little. I guess Jiraiya can wait. For now, I have a job to do.
To be continued...