A/N: This is almost the end of where I want to take this. I have maybe one more string of incidents in me to tie this up ….for now.

Disclaimer: All the rights to Naruto are held by Masashi Kishimoto. I do have any rights to the characters. However, rumor has it that Kishimoto-sama keeps those rights in a metal tin that he sleeps with under his pillow…(Insert 'Mission Impossible' music here.)


November 22

I am now a stalker. I got tired of waiting around for a good opportunity to get to Kakashi, so I'm bringing the game to him with a vengeance. He's away on a mission right now, and his estimated return is three days from now. So, unless I get sent out on a mission of my own, I should have just enough time to do what I need to do: Work my way through the traps he has set up around his apartment, gain entry, defuse any other traps, and make myself comfortable.

I know this could be an ambitious one day job as well, but I figure doing it in segments would probably draw less attention. If I get in earlier than expected, I can also lie around reading his precious Icha Icha library; I'm sure they'll all be within easy reach from his bed.

Today's job was checking all potential entrances to see which is the one that might provide the least obstacles. As I suspected it seems to be the door, that's probably because of the possible interruption of other residents walking by in the hall. So I studied it for as long as I could today, seeing how the trace chakra flow around the edges ran. Then I looked for wire, string, subtle markings or anything else that denoted a trap. I made notes so I could study them when I got home tonight and plan my course of attack. Nothing was going to get in my way.

November 23

I worked my way through the first layer of his defenses today. It turned out to be three hours of exhausting work. Then I had to set a seal of my own over what I'd accomplished so I'd know right away if anyone else tampered with it.

When I got home in the mid-afternoon, I found Shikamaru and Chouji talking to my dad. I was worried that it was a summons for a mission. It just turned out that I had forgotten that they had wanted to have a brainstorming session for ideas on our specialty missions.

So, after I returned home from that, Dad gave me the business. Forgetting something like that wasn't like me…was there something bothering me…etc. Sometimes, I can't wait until I can get a place of my own.

November 24

I'm in! After two more hours of traps, I succeeded well ahead of schedule. I'm so genuinely amazed; I expected more resistance, noise, explosions…something painful, but no, it was just concentration on the goal that got me through. I had about an hour to kill before I had to get back home. The first thing I did was strip down, grab what looked to be the first of his books, and lay there naked, reading on his bed. What I managed to read in that short time inspired me, even though I do think I blushed at least twice.

I can't wait for tomorrow, I hope he doesn't get back too early. I definitely want to read some more.

November 25

I went back to Kakashi's and waited for him. I was sort of a good girl because I decided to leave my clothes on this time. I still lay on his bed reading away. I finished the first book and was thinking to myself, 'What kind of research could Jiraiya have possibly wanted me for last summer? What could I have brought to this that he hadn't already seen?'

I grabbed for the next book and noticed it had a bookmark in it. 'Is this some favorite chapter of Kakashi's? Is this the scene he fantasizes about re-creating in real life…I just gotta know.' I open the book to this spot…

It was like a firework display went off in his room. Blinding flashes of light and color surrounded me. Damn, this was the kind of trap I'd been dreading…I let my guard down.

I stood there blinking in shock, thinking that if nothing else one of his neighbors was going to be here soon. I think of trying to find my way to the window but I was disoriented.

Suddenly I feel a pair of arms wrap around me and a voice whispers in my ear, "So, have you enjoyed my library, Ino?" It was, of course, Kakashi. "I bet you have all sorts of little fantasies of trying to recreate with me, one of the scenes you've read. You're not the first girl to want that…I doubt you'll be the last." He spun me to face him, I felt him pull the book I was still holding from my hands. Then another one of those blinding flashes went off and I felt him kiss me.

'Is he actually going to give me what I want?' I thought…then, 'Wait a minute, he's kissing me. Am I going to get to see his face?' He stopped and I felt him pick me up. My heart was racing then suddenly I realized could see again. I was disappointed…his face was covered once more.

"I'm sorry," he said, "I don't really know yet who I'm waiting for, but something tells me it's not you." He was holding me out of his window. "Keep your adventurous spirit. You're going to need it on the way down." Then he let me go…

I'm glad I didn't have to do anything too strenuous to get into his room today. And I am so glad I didn't scream or curse him out on the way down. It turned out although I managed to land gracefully, I landed in the path of Kiba and Shino…there's nothing that would have hurt my ego more than to have had two of my past flings know what I'd just been up to. I brushed it off with an, 'I meant to do that' kind of gesture, and proceeded to walk towards home like I owned this town. Sometimes I amaze myself with how cool I am.

December 6-10 (after the fact)

I just got back from a mission with the unlikely combination of Neji and Naruto. No, I didn't go after both of them. Naruto is definitely on my 'Do Not Touch' list. Neji, on the other hand, has been on my wish list all along. I tried so hard to get to him at Sakura's wedding…

Anyways, we were out on a fairly routine mission. Neji was the Jonin in charge. On the first night out, I started talking to him. I asked him if he was still into his destiny thing. He admitted that though he was more open to the possibility of changing one's fate, there were still aspects that one could not change. I figured I'd best think over his response before acting.

The second night, I decided to pry just a bit. I asked him about Tenten and whether or not they were an item. I know I'd seen them out together a couple of times, I just need to see how seriously before I plan my 'attack'. He admits they have been seeing each other. I ask him straight out, "Is she your destiny?" His reply is that he is uncertain… he likes certain things about her and is annoyed by others. I'm betting that squeaky voice of her is one of them…I hope for his sake she's not a screamer.

The third night, I happily notice that there is a very workable pattern developing. When Naruto goes to sleep he sleeps like a log for a good three hours…at least. This gives me one last talking opportunity with Neji. I cautiously bring up the fact that I'm currently looking into to new experiences and ask him if he'd like to be one. I watched his expression as he mulled it over. It looked like he was thinking too hard about it. I let it drop for the night.

The fourth night, I decide it's all up to him; I act like I'm getting ready to turn in. He stops me before I can. "Do you have expectations beyond one night?" He asked me.

"At this point, I don't consider anything beyond one night to be part of my destiny." I smirked at him. "Do you think I'd have described it as a new experience if I expected something more?"

So I got my night with Neji. He seemed to be enthusiastic, but nowhere near as experienced as I'd have thought he'd be. This seemed to be an area the 'Gentle Fist style' did not seem to cover. However there was definitely as a raw sense of power in each of his moves. I made sure to let his hair loose so it fell across us both while we took our time exploring each other. I know his expression showed surprise at least twice during our session. Especially at a moment when I got a surprising reaction out of him and exerted control so I could exploit my discovery just a little more. I made a mental note to try the same thing on the next guy I was with to see if it was just a Neji thing or was I potentially on to something. Secretly, I must admit the thing that made it most exciting was the fact that Naruto was sleeping less than 10 feet away and could awaken at any moment.

Today, we got back to Konoha and went our separate ways…I wonder if I taught him something new he'll try out on Tenten…or maybe he'll get Tenten to try on him.

December 21

I was out running deliveries for the flower shop. When Ebisu came up along side for just a moment and slipped me a message. Trees, we were going to meet back at the trees where we had played with the net back in July. This time in the late afternoon, luckily I was on the last delivery then I was free for the afternoon. My original plan was to go to the library, now I'd get the chance to do the real research I was in to.

So I went off to the rendezvous point at the appointed hour. I found the four trees again but no Ebisu. Since there was no one else around I tried to decide what the best pose would be to strike. I tried leaning against one of them, then reclining on the lowest limbs of one of the others. I don't know how long I waited shifting from one sultry attempt to the next, but finally I bothered to look up. There above me was Ebisu happily sketching.

"You rat, how long have you been there?" I called.

"The whole time, you're lucky I wasn't an enemy." He snapped his sketchbook shut, "So, you ready for our next scenario?"

"I wouldn't be out here if I wasn't…in fact, it would have been nice to have started sooner."

"Awww, but you were posing so nicely…although it would have been better if you'd have stripped first. Oh well, I guess everything can't be prefect." He smiled then held out a simple tunic made of a gauze-mesh. "You get a wardrobe today."

I regarded it curiously. "What's the point of wearing that, it won't cover a thing? It's totally see-through."

"Just put it on and give me a few minutes to make some adjustments."

So I did, then he gently wove a few leaves into to it in strategic patterns. Then he guided me up into the heights of on of the trees and had me pose among the branches.

"Today you are a wood sprite." He said, "Look like you're perfectly at home and having fun." He pulled out the sketchbook again and started to 'work'. When he finished he moved me to another location and started drawing again. Then a third time, "Don't worry this is the last one." He reassured me, "I want to do a themed series."

So when the last sketch was done. I pulled off the mesh dress and we got down to business. "Would it be okay with you if I ran this part of the show?" I asked him, "I just want to see how far I've gotten in my skills over the past year."

"You want to see if the student has caught up yet?"

"I think so, in fact I may even have something you'll need to take notes on for a change."

He laughed, "Then let's get on with it."

I got him to lay back on the branch he had me on for the second sketch. Thought I was working him over pretty well, he seemed to be enjoying himself. Then I decided after the first go around to try the move that had sparked a strong reaction from Neji. Ebisu made a noise unlike anything I'd ever heard come out of any of my partners. He thrashed in an unnatural way for just a moment making me think that we were going to lose our balance and fall from the tree. Then he just lay there gasping in an equally scary way. I was just starting to think I'd screwed up and harmed him, when he said simply, "Where did you learn to do that?"

"By accident a few weeks ago." I was almost embarrassed to admit it.

"Could you do that again…I think you're right about the taking notes thing."

"Would it be alright if we went back down to the grass for the second one? You kind of scared me."

Again he laughed. "Whatever makes you comfortable."

So I gave a repeat performance, and though his reaction seemed every bit as weird as it had the first time he assured me that it was quite the discovery I'd made. However, I'm not sure I want to do that to anyone else for a while. While Neji's reaction was pleasant to me, Ebisu's was disturbing…could this move kill a lesser shinobi? I'll have to wait until I get another Jonin before I can consider taking the risk again….hmmm.

January 1 Again

A year has come and gone I've definitely become older and wiser. I hope I get to do more character assassinations soon, those were kind of fun even if I did have a close call. The one thing I will avoid for now, is alcohol, it's gotten me into just a little more trouble than I'd have liked this year.

I still think about that incident with Yuji and Yama. There's good news and bad news on that front. Although Yuji lost an eye, he may have found the love of his lifetime because of it. He's been dating one of the medics who treated him, a cute girl named Mika. Yama on the other hand still seems to fear me, well the Shinranshin no Jutsu at any rate.

Sakura, my number one rival for Sasuke is now married to Lee and has a baby on the way. Although she seems very happy, I know that's not I would want for myself, certainly not yet. That's one situation my medical research has saved me from…I am so not ready for children.

But the success of my other research, that's one thing I would not trade for anything. I hope my Sasuke comes back soon so I can share my new skills with someone I love. If not, I'll see what kind of entertainment I can find for now. Kakashi beware, you are still on my wish list! Not to mention that visit with Kotetsu and Izumo when I turn 18…I might look into that even if Sasuke's back.

My one thing to watch out for is that the Hokage has told me straight out that she is unhappy about the reputation I seem to be acquiring. It means I have to be more cautious about my library time. Maybe I should slow down a little, the more I do the more I risk making a mistake or finding a guy who doesn't want to let go after a one-nighter. The only repeat visitor I've got right now is Ebisu and that might just slow down now that I got the better of him once. The modeling is fun but so far I haven't tried any of the games out on anyone else, nor do I have any inclination…yet.

Sasuke, please come back this year…


A/N: No I don't know the secret place that Ino refers to, don't ask me about that. Also remember these are professional ninjas do not attempt any of the stuns you've read about in my works. Please review. I'm mostly harmless…really I am.