A/N: Hey, people! Do any of you still remember I exist? Sorry about the long gap after my last story, but look! – I'm writing again! This is totally a WIP, so I'm writing and updating as fast as I can; but, please, be kind and excuse me if you don't see an update for a while. I hope I can get through the whole thing! Thanks in advance to everyone who's taking an interest in this, and I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimers: If I really owned Buffy and Co., do you really think I would be here writing fanfic about them? (yes, probably, but that's not the point) Anyways, not mine, don't sue – I fear you guys.

Summary: All Human AU. After finally having enough of her abusive father, Buffy Summers runs away to L.A. Certain circumstances force her back to Sunnydale years later, and she must deal with facing the people she left behind and a sinister stranger that threatens her life.

Rating: PG-13 for language and minor violence. You have been warned ...

Pairings: B/S eventually. W/T Others uncertain

Distribution: Yeah, sure, take it. Tell me first, though.

Reviews: Yeah, I'm a feedback whore, and I'm man – er, woman – enough to admit it!

"But you can't just leave, Buffy," Willow exclaimed. The fifteen-year-old redhead stared incredulously at her friend.

"I have to, Wills. It's for the best," Buffy explained absent-mindedly as she checked her supplies once again.

Willow racked her mind desperately for a way to deter her strong-willed friend from her plans. "What about Dawn?" she asked, referring to her friend's 12-year-old sister.

"I'm going for Dawnie. We can't stay with Hank any longer and I have to get away from here."

The blonde immediately picked up on her friend's hurt and rushed to reassure her. "Of course I don't want to leave you and all my friends, Will, but … I dunno …" She trailed off, frustrated.

"It's o.k. Buff, I get it." Willow smiled lightly. "But you really could always just stay with me," she suggested hopefully. "It's not like Mom and Dad would ever notice." This was relatively true. Willow's parents were rarely home. Their job kept them busily traveling, so the redhead was often left alone.

Buffy grinned wryly. "Thanks, but I gotta do this. Could you let Dawnie stay for a while, though? It'll only be until I can settle..."

"Of course. Hey, mi casa es su casa," she quoted with a nervous giggle.

Willow suddenly found herself encased in a rib-crushing hug. "I'm going to miss you so much, Willow!"

"Air … becoming … issue," Willow gasped with a small grin.

"Sorry" Buffy said sheepishly, letting go of her friend.

"No big," the redhead answered with a smile. "I wish you didn't have to go."

"Hey, you always said I was way too dramatic, maybe I'll get "discovered" in L.A.," Buffy joked.

She walked over to her sleeping sister and kissed her forehead gently. "Bye, Dawnie," she whispered.

Then she prepared to leave.

"You sure you want to do this?" Willow called out as Buffy limbed back out the window.

"Yeah." The reply drifted back. "Say good-bye to the gang for me!"

With that, Buffy took off running down the street, feeling strangely light, yet weighed down at the same time with one thought on her mind …

Good-bye Sunnydale, L.A., here I come!

And being the great person that I am, I've left you the next chapter, too! C'mon take a look …