There are probably numerous typos in this, but I want to post it before I leave for practice and before I change it again.

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That night we ate quickly and quietly. I guess both of us were too wrapped up in thought to hold much conversation. I went to bed soon after dinner. I was tired both mentally and physically, but I found no peace in my room.

Apparently, Itachi had gotten the mail that day and in it, there had been a letter to me. I was surprised at first and wondered who would write to me. I looked at the envelope. There was no return address.

I opened the envelope slowly, afraid of what I might find. When I opened it, a single sheet of paper fell out. As I read the note, fear clutched my heart.

I'm coming for you. You know what will happen to anyone in the way.

I stared at the note in disbelief. No. He had found me. Somehow, he had found me, and now…

I shook my head. I wouldn't, couldn't let that happen. I would leave. I would leave Sasuke. He would be safe, not cursed for helping me. I would leave him, and he'd move on. Everything would be fine if I left.

I knew I had to, but some part of me objected. Some part of me wanted to stay, but I quickly repressed that part. It was selfish and stupid. If I stayed I would be endangering him, the one who had helped me so much.

I wouldn't do that. I looked at the clock. 10:30

I heard him walked up the stairs 2 hours later. I waited another 30 minutes before getting off my bed. I went over to my dresser to finish the note that I had begun when I started getting ready to leave. Packing some clothes, medicine and other things had been surprisingly easy. This note was the hard part. I had to find a way to convince him not to come after me, to make him think he shouldn't worry so he could be happy. Finally, after rewriting the first draft because I had cried on it, I had what I needed. I left the page on my bed, walked down the stairs and out the door into the night.

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I woke up early that morning and instantly, I knew something was wrong. I got out of my bed, trying to figure out why I felt such unease. I walked into the hallway and instantly my eyes went to Sakura's door.

I walked over to it and slowly opened the door. She was not there. Then I saw the note. I read it quickly, barely registering the words.

Sasuke,

Thank you for everything, but I don't think dependence suits me. I have left to find my own way. Don't come after me. I'll be fine. I need to find my own way. Maybe someday you'll see me happy and successful. Again, thanks for everything.

Later,

Sakura

I fell back onto the bed as the words washed over me. She was gone. She had left, but why? The words on the page seemed so different from the girl I had gotten to know the past few days. It made no sense.

She asked me not to come after her, but how could she expect me not to when all she left was a note that made no sense, and besides, it wasn't safe for her out there. Who knew what could happen to her? I was out the door faster than ever before, trying to figure out where she would go.

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I had no clue where to go, but with only enough money to afford a few fast food meals and the clothes on my back, I knew I had to go somewhere. I knew there were a few shelters in the city, but I didn't know where they were, and besides, if my dad were looking for me, he'd probably look there first.

I continued walking hoping to find somewhere to sleep. Finally, as the sun began to rise, exhaustion won and I fell asleep in one of the many alleyways.

I didn't wake up again until nightfall. When I did, the sounds of the city at night immediately hit me hard. Dogs barking, the sound of people's rushing in cars, not to mention the stench of smoke and gas. I rose slowly from my spot on the ground. I had to keep moving, but as I reached the exit to the alley, a figure blocked my way, a very familiar figure.

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I had been walking around the city for a while, trying to find her. I finally got lucky right as the sun was falling.

I had been grabbing a quick bite to eat when I overheard the words of two older men walking by.

"Pink hair?"

"Yeah, that's what he say. Said the poor thing looked frightened too. He followed her for a while, but then she disappeared. He assumes she went to sleep in one of the alleys in the 5th district."

"Probably right, but the poor girl—"

I didn't stick around to hear more. I ran towards the nearby district, hoping I could find her before something happened. I didn't know why, but it felt as if the clock was slowly clicking down, and if I wasn't careful, it would win.

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He approached slowly, and I looked behind me. Damn. Of course, I had to have chosen an alley with only one exit, an exit that now involved getting past him.

"Come on Sakura. So surprised to see me? You left the house of the pretty boy to save him. How noble of you. Now, why don't you come over here and get your punishment for disobeying me."

Words stuck in my throat as he got closer. I ended up backed against the wall. I managed to dodge the first few blows, but soon one got me, then another. I fell to the ground slowly, expecting more to follow, but none did. I looked up.

"Sasuke!"

He gave a smirk before continuing to hold off my father. I tried to move, tried to manage another sound, but I couldn't.

Everything was frozen as I watched the two fight their way out of the alley and onto the street into the road.

I couldn't yell for help, or stand to go get some.

I couldn't move, fear and pain paralyzing me.

I couldn't stop the car from hitting them.

All I could do was watch.

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Depressing, ne? Probably only one chapter left now. (Maybe 2)