Authors Note: If you don't remember, read the end of chapter 12 again.

Something rung through Hotaru's ear, through the canals and into the (Ok, I won't go that far) his head. Was it a dream? No, stupid, he though, it's the alarm clock. He yawned and sat up slowly as his arm reached over to the clock to press it off. The hand pushed it down and Hotaru flopped back onto the bed.

Brrrrrrring! Hotaru's eyes creaked open. Weird, though the puzzled boy, I thought I just turned it off. He sat up again and turned to the alarm clock. Sure enough, the alarm was on (or is it off). Still, the sound echoed around the rooms and he could hear the vibrations outside.

If it wasn't his clock it was a… FIRE! Hotaru burst out of his bed with his pajamas and instantly shook them off. He shoved all his belongings into his bag and quickly put on some clothes. In a matter of life-and-death seconds, he had packed up all his things and he ran out of the room with the speed of a ninja being chased by ferocious dogs.

Hotaru slammed the door open and skidded to a stop in the hallway. He looked both ways – the left was burning with fire and the roof was collapsing; the right side had some minor debris scattered around. I'll take my chances with the clear, right side, thought Hotaru.

He dashed down the hallway as he zippered his sweater up. Wahhh! A cry was heard in the room to the right. It was a desperate and helpless voice and Hotaru's good nature couldn't resist helping. He barged in the room and frantically looked around. His eyes rested on a little child hiding in the corner.

Hotaru started to dash across the floor when the roof above suddenly collapsed down. Flames poured through the opening and pervaded like water on the floor. Hotaru bit his lip and wondered what to do – save the child and possible end up dead, ending his quest; or just escape with your life.

With no more time to think, he made his decision. Hotaru took one look at the child… and ran out the door. He passed into the hallway and suddenly stopped. With a snarl, he charged down the hallway, to the door and in, and leaped straight over the devouring fire!

Barely reaching over the flames, he landed roughly on the other side, rolling down. After a few seconds, the consequences took place. His feet – and privates – were slightly burned and it turned a shade of black. It stung Hotaru's legs but nevertheless, he gingerly grabbed the weeping boy and whirled around just as the floor beneath them broke.

"Ahhh!" he cried, as he and the child fell down. He wrapped himself around the other and braced them for the impact. With a loud thud, he landed on the floor with, luckily, only slight traces of fire. Hotaru took a second to recover and then he jumped up.

Hotaru searched his surroundings for an escape – nothing. Suddenly, cries and yells echoed slightly from affront. It must be the people outside, he though. He put the child down on the floor and it began to cry again. When their eyes met, the boy saw the determination in Hotaru's eyes, and he quieted down.

"Clone Jutsu!" yelled Hotaru, as his hands moved into signs. Smoke erupted from the ground out of nowhere, and when the mist cleared, 4 clones were standing next to him. "Ok," one of them shouted, "let's do it!"

Hotaru nodded and picked up the child. After a countdown to 3, they charged out the front, knocking everything as they went. Tendrils of fire and debris shot out at them as if the burning house was alive, and one by one, the clones of Hotaru disappeared. Soon, only one was remaining – Hotaru.

With a shout, he huddled the child closely to him, and crashed through the weakened wall. Light shone on him – they made it!

Tham! Hotaru landed on his back and slid a few feet. His skin was colored ash and the remnants of his outer clothing were burnt off. However, the child was safe. A woman – most likely his mother – rushed over and hugged it tightly. "Thank you young man, I cannot think you enough!" She began to give her gratitude to him when she suddenly saw his critical condition. "Someone get a doctor here!"

The townspeople, who were staring at Hotaru, finally got to their senses and began to call for a doctor. In a daze, Hotaru limped around, trying to make sense of what had happened. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a shadowy figure near some trees – Ichirou.

He tried to gasp, but in vain. He collapsed promptly onto the floor and stared at Ichirou. Ichirou returned the stare with a steady gaze. However, Hotaru could tell that it was a pleading face and he got the message clearly – I'm sorry.

So close to getting Ichirou back, Hotaru willed his body to get up. The town gasped in surprise and even Ichirou backed out a little. Ichirou's face grew dark, and the 2 men from before appeared behind him. They grabbed his shoulder and he nodded. They leaped out of sight from Hotaru, but he kept on limping towards the spot.

Within a few seconds, he fell on the ground. From afar, an owl gazed at the stumbling boy intently. A voice seemed to appear out of its chest. "How is the boy?"

The owl's ears suddenly flashed red and another lighter voice spoke, "He got a little burnt but otherwise, he's ok."

It paused for a few moments, and the first voice spoke again, "Hide his body somewhere. We don't want to attract anyone. Make sure he doesn't see you." The red eyes flashed once again and it seemed to nod.

Its wings burst wide open and it flew high into the sky, gaining flight. A cloud of smoke suddenly shot out of the air. For a few seconds, the fog stayed there, but it slowly dispersed… revealing a man.

The strange figure was wearing a silver robe with red moons all over it. Unnoticed by everyone else, he leapt over the buildings until he was on top of Hotaru, a few feet down. He sneered, and his hands performed unknown seals at an incredible pace.

Suddenly, hands of earth appeared from the ground around Hotaru and reached over him. Hotaru's eyes grew wide and he tried to kick himself away. His body lifted up an inch for a second, and the hands fell straight down lightning fast. The grasped his body and in a few seconds, had enveloped Hotaru in the earth, no longer visible to anyone.

Satisfied with the results, the man nodded and walked away. Miles away, Ichirou and the 2 men were jogging to their base. Miles away, a young boy named Hotaru suddenly appeared from an opening in the ground and landed on a dirt road. Miles away in Konoha, the ninjas were frantically discussing the missing boys. Miles away, a more sinister clan called the Tsuki plotted their next plan. Things were looking grim.