It had been a week since Hotaru had been framed, and Kiba still couldn't find any evidence in her favour. The only thing left was Ryo's scent on the paper bomb (which had yet to be removed, since a specialist from Suna was coming over) and even that was fast fading. There had been nothing on the Suzuki clan in the Uchiha database, which Sasuke said he had expected, since Ryo was not from Konoha, and there was very little data on clans that did not originate from Konohagakure in the database.

It was extremely frustrating. News had gotten out by then, and Hotaru had been put under constant surveillance of ANBU, since she was suspected to be dangerous. She had also stopped speaking to everyone, even Sasori, or at least, that's what Sasori had told Kiba when he had spoken with him. Hotaru just seemed to take the accusation very hard for some reason. The Inuzuka had even tried talking to her once or twice, only to be ignored, and then shooed away by an ANBU who probably thought that he was trying to help her do something shady.

"This is so frustrating!!" Kiba growled, and Akamaru barked in agreement. It was so annoying to see that bastard Ryo walking free, when Hotaru was practically under arrest.

And what made it worse, was that Kiba found himself doubting her. What if she really did do it? What if Hotaru had been a spy all this time? Had everything been a lie?

He didn't want to believe it, but at that moment, it seemed the most-likely explanation. But no! He couldn't doubt her! There was no way Hotaru would do something like this, not after all that they had done to protect the village!

'But... what if that was all a ruse? What if you fell for it, falling under her spell?' an evil little voice said in the back of his head, 'What would you do then? What if she's locked away, or worse?'

Kiba shook his head rapidly. He didn't want to think about it.

---

Hotaru sighed to herself as she walked the street. She could feel the ANBU following her.

She was getting sick of this. She had no privacy, and her dream of becoming a strong, well-known, admirable kunoichi was pretty much unattainable now. If she went down for trying to destroy the Leaf, she would probably become well-known, but not for the reasons she wanted.

And on top of that, she couldn't even train anymore! They always thought she was up to something! She badly needed to practice some of her newer jutsu, she would get rusty and they would become difficult to use if she did not!

The redhead showed no expression as a passing woman gave her a disdainful look, and ushered her children along, as if evil was catching. Hotaru sighed inwardly- that was merely one among many. Lately, everybody looked at her as if she had some sort of horrible disease. And while every time Hotaru kept her expression controlled, each dirty look, each glare, killed her a little more on the inside, each one draining more of the life from her eyes.

Was this how it felt to be Naruto? The kunoichi knew that he must have gone through something similar to this, and somehow he managed to keep smiling. How? It was only then, that Hotaru realised just how strong, and just how worthy of the title 'Hokage', Naruto really was.

Pushing open the door to her home, Hotaru sighed. She just needed to take a shower, then go to bed. She was too weary to care that the ANBU would still be watching her, it wasn't like she had anything to hide, and she didn't know any of them anyway.

She went through to the living room, and froze, her eyes wide. She then turned and ran straight out of the house, pulling the door to shut it, only for it to slam against the frame then swing back open again.

"Hotaru, wait!!"

The redhead ignored her older brother's shouts, and just ran, and kept running until she was submerged deep in the woods. Then she just curled up in front of a large tree, pulling her knees to her chest. That was it. The straw that broke the horse's back. She couldn't take anymore.

"Hotaru!" Kiba rushed to her- he had seen her come running out of her house, and Sasori (who, Kiba noted, was with an unfamiliar woman) had pleaded with him to go after her. But the Inuzuka didn't need telling twice.

"Hotaru, what's the matter?" the girl just stared blankly ahead, no sign of emotion on her face. Her eyes then slowly moved to meet his, and Kiba was stunned by the lack of life in them. This accusation... it was really hitting her hard.

Then, she rested her head back against the tree trunk, closing her eyes.

"This may sound stupid, but..." Hotaru paused, a slight frown coming onto her face. "I think we should stop dating."

And, just like that, Kiba's world collapsed. "What?! Why?!"

"It's not fair on you to date a criminal." Hotaru continued, unfased by his hurt tone.

"You're not a criminal-"

"You say that, but part of you believes that I am. And that, however small it may be, is too much." the redhead's hazel eyes were hard as they met Kiba's once again, not a single ounce of pain managing to show. Kiba tried to deny it, but just could not find the words, couldn't make himself lie to her.

Hearing no argument, Hotaru smirked in hollow victory. "And in any case... I just don't think I believe in love anymore. I never really have."

Kiba opened his mouth to say something, but the shock- and hurt- trapped his words. Hotaru merely stood up, and a tiny, sorrowful smile graced her features, as she took one of Kiba's tan hands in both of her own.

"Bye... Kiba." then she turned and walked away, distance causing their hands to seperate.

---

Ooooohhhh!!! Very dramatic chapter, right?! Also really short *sigh* but I'mma hopefully post again before I have to start revision. Hopefully. I dunno. I still have to update My Heart (y'know, the Gaara sequel) as well, since I said I would.

Man, Hotaru's actions are really weird, huh? Even I'M confused as to what her reasoning could possibly be, and I'm the one writing the story! :D

Fan, vote, && comment!! :)