All Buffy characters were created by Joss Whedon. Not me.

Written for Open on Sunday LJ community's challenge #87, Journeys.

Leaving
by Zzilly14

"Where are you going?" Dawn asked, staring at the bag her sister was hastily packing.

"Somewhere away from here."

The twelve-year-old sighed. "But why? Because of vampires?"

"Dawnie, I don't have time for this, okay?" Buffy replied, forcing herself not to cry. "Mom said I couldn't come back. And... I just can't stay."

"But you can't leave either!"

"I have to," the Slayer stated. "There's some things I have to sort through. And being here... it hurts." She kissed her sister's cheek. "Goodbye."

Buffy grabbed her bag and exited out the window.

"You'll come back," Dawn whispered into the night.