And this-I think-is chap 20. Lost count.

Hotaru stretched as she left the Hokage's house well after 10 at night. She was exhausted but it didn't matter. She'd have to get up in a few hours before she had to get up again to return to the Hokage's house before dawn. Her body curved as she stretched back a little. Hotaru's snakes and doll were tucked in her ninja pouch and her little snakes were ready to help her at a moment's notice.

Man, if I keep this up, I'm going to take the second phase by storm…I'll also be too tired to do anything. Wow, it's such a beautiful night. It's never this clear back home…not with the light pollution from the other Islands and the various boats on patrol to make sure I don't go off the Shizuka Shima at night. Hotaru smiled to herself, looking at the stars and moon. She was the only one out on the street so it was nice and quiet, just the way she liked it. Suddenly a flare of chakra got her attention. What the hell was that? I had better get the Jikankage…What am I saying? The Hokage swore me to secrecy. If I go to tell her then I'll break my vow. No-I will become a Chunin! I'll have to check this out for myself.

Hotaru leapt on to a roof as quiet as a breath. She crept to the edge and followed a shadow to an alley in the business district. She kept to the rooftops and hid when they looked up. She laid on her stomach and peered over the edge of the roof in the shadow of a second floor. Forming several hand signs, she preformed a very useful jutsu.

SILENT ECHO JUTSU!

"…in a month, so you'll need to be ready. The 2nd phase will be tomorrow and then-"

"I'm aware of the time issues. What I need, Kabuto, is information on those Shima Renzoku genin. Did you get it for me or not?"

Kabuto? "Samurai Helmet"? What a weird na-wait…I know that name. Damn! So he did survive…of course he did…I would've but I would've remained loyal to my Village. Hotaru thought, biting her lower lip. He is such a bastard. If I corner him in the physical tomorrow-I'll kill him myself. I'll be executed anyway-whether the Hokage keeps helping me or not.

"I do have it. Which Island do you want to start with, the Tsuki Shima?"

"…No, tell me about that sweet looking little girl, the one with those beautiful eyes."

"Uh, which one? They're all their best behavior, Sir."

"Oh, you know, that black haired little girl. The one with the long hair that wears those sweet looking color coordinated outfits."

"Not to sound stupid, but can you narrow that down a bit more?"

"That one little darling with that chakra stone on her forehead."

Hotaru felt her heart stop. She was the only one with a chakra stone that had long black hair from the Shima Renzoku. Oh, my God…they're talking about me! Is this other guy an executioner hired by the 3 Hoshikage!?

"Oh, that one. Sorry. I've been doing a lot of recon lately. She's the last of the Shizuka Shima shinobi-the only one to survive the Outcast Massacre. Her extensive knowledge isn't quite known but she isn't one to toy with. From what I gathered from the other kids and the Shima Kage, she's quite passive but the way she looks at you says the opposite. Her name is 'Tomoe' but my sources tell me that her name is actually 'Tomonora'."

Oh, shit! He IS an executioner! I'm going to die!

"What, Keiko's little girl is still alive?" This second voice seemed to be taken completely off guard by that piece of news. "After so long on her own? But the Shima Kage should have killed her by now!"

Kabuto's head moved-he was shaking his head. "No, she's alive and well. From the information my sources gave me, she has defeated every executioner that was sent after her. How she did, exactly, is beyond any of us but one thing is for sure-Toy with her and you life is forfeit."

Hotaru slowly stood but her foot slipped and a pebble fell off the roof. She froze, terrified as her jutsu kept sending her the voices of the people below her.

"What was that?" Kabuto must've been looking up.

"I do believe we're being watched. Let's find out who it is!"

Run, you idiot! RUN! Hotaru's brain screamed to her body. She moved, leaping over the alley and going as fast as she could. I have to get away! I have to alert the Jakenkage!

"Where do you think you're going, little girl?" The second voice was right behind her and catching up fast. Hotaru brought her hands together and formed several hand signs quickly. Her chakra burned through her body and with a cloud of smoke, her jutsu took effect.

Uh-oh...