Hotaru

is the granddaughter of the former leader of the Tsuchigumo clan, En no Gyōja.

Background
One day Hotaru was under attack by a group of ninja who were actually after Utakata. Utakata saved Hotaru from the ninja, but was wounded in the battle. Hotaru ran for help from her fort, saving Utakata's life, causing him to become indebted to her. After this, he became a sort of master to Hotaru in order to hide from anyone who is after him. Later she finds him sleeping under a tree and Utakata got angry when Hotaru called him master, saying that the relationship between a master and a student is not something you can count on. Utakata reluctantly begins to teach her the Water Walking Exercise first, believing that she wouldn't master it. In the morning, she shows that she was able to stand on top of the water by training all night. Next, Utakata taught her Water Release: Violent Water Wave, once again believing that she would not be able to master it without water-nature chakra only to discover she does possess water-nature chakra. She later found Utakata under a tree and showed him the she again mastered the technique much to his surprise. Hotaru also seems to have admiration for Utakata that borders on romantic interest.

Six-Tailed Beast arc
When a group ninja came looking for the Tsuchigumo clan's kinjutsu, Tonbee had Hotaru, along with Utakata, take the clan's forbidden jutsu so that ninja could not retrieve it. While traveling, Utakata got upset at Hotaru for calling him, at which point Naruto arrived, believing Utakata to be attacking Hotaru. Hotaru broke up the fight and Utakata left her, deciding that Team 7 would be capable in protect her. As she watched him float away in a bubble, she tried to convince him not to leave, but was unsuccessful in doing so.

While on the way to the clan's secret village, Naruto argues with her only for Yamato to devise a plan to convince Hotaru to accept their protection. Using his unique jutsu, Sai drew mountain leeches to fall on Hotaru, who freaks out and becomes afraid, causing her to accept Team 7's protection. When they reached the village, Team 7 leaves Hotaru with Tsuchigumo clan and Hotaru thanks Naruto before he leaves.

She is then brought to a personal room, unaware that the village had already betrayed her to the bandits from earlier. After tricking them with a bomb disguised at the secret jutsu scroll, she retreated into the forest, where she was soon captured again. Fortunately, Utakata arrived and successfully escaped with her. Later, sure that they were safe, Utakata had then rest by a waterfall. While Utakata merely insisted he was interested in the secret jutsu, Hotaru was sure that he did to save her. Once again, Hotaru begged Utakata to take her on as student, despite his obvious refusal, she insisted he had a to take her. When asked why she was so determined to learn under him and protect the school, Hotaru explained that it was the final wish of her grandfather and first master as it was this jutsu that could help restore the Tsuhigumo clan. To better illustrate her point, Hotaru removed her robe to show Utakata something on her back, which horrified him. Before they could continue talking, Kiri ANBU arrived and took Hotaru hostage. While Utakata was distracted, the ANBU acted quickly and restrained him. It was then revealed that Utakata was a missing-nin from the Kirigakure who killed his former master. Fortunately, Naruto arrived and took out one of the ANBU with a clone.

Trivia

 * means firefly.