Hi! Thank you for reading! This story takes place in the inbetween stages of Naruto Shippuden and Boruto: The Next Generations. It follows Tenten and is of course fictional as Naruto is, the main pairing is Kakashi and Tenten and everything else is canon! Thanks for reading! Some things may be modified to fit the story line so don't get me on the details!

-B

Unlikely Pair

Chapter 1: The Setup

She put on a happy and brave face, put on her kimono she had specially picked out for the occasion and met with Lee and Guy to attend what was rumored to be the most memorable wedding in Konoha history. And while she had done her best to move forward with the loss of her closest companion, she could not help but feel a little empty while watching the pair exchange their vows.

He should be here. She thought with a smile, how could she frown at such a time as this. Although, perhaps his presence could be felt in the feather-like breeze that tickled the back of her neck with a soft warm kiss.

Tenten knew that since the war, most of her friends had been "coupling up" if you will. Watched as Sakura received a correspondence from Sasuke, and she saw Ino and Sai link hands in a not-so-subtle display of open affection. Temari and Shikamari kept awkwardly dancing around their feelings, both blushing brightly whenever the other would talk. It was only a matter of time before more and more wedding bells would ring their way through Konoha.

But what was left for her? She had already inwardly resolved to never be bitter. Surely if she wanted to settle down that badly she could probably talk Lee into getting married. But the likelihood of Lee surviving the marriage was very small, seeing as how Tenten continually shook the life out of him anytime he misbehaved or lost touch with reality. Which everyone knew was quite frequently. She did not want to babysit, she wanted a partnership. She wanted someone to keep her accountable, to act as a counterpart.

As she looked around at the guests of the wedding she couldn't help but feel like perhaps she'd missed her shot. But anyone who would've spoken with Tenten on that day, never would've guessed that she was internalizing quite so much.

He sat behind his desk with a sigh of relief, despite knowing that the relief would not last long. But he was grateful that the wedding between Naruto and Hinata had been a success, that everyone's gifts for the pair had been full of thought and care, and that they had sorted out the issue of who could and could not attend the wedding. Everything seemed to have gone beautifully.

Iruka had mentioned to Kakashi briefly that Naruto had harassed him about getting married himself. It wasn't something he'd given much thought about until he watched his students begin to settle down. At the ripe age of thirty-two, he began to wonder if child-rearing was something to only fantasize about.

Konohamaru was also one to harass him about being a lonely old man, but Kakashi had immeasurable amounts of paperwork, correspondences, meetings, budgetings and many other duties that came along with being the Hokage. Admittedly, he hated it.

It was always a bit awkward when people who once called him by first name, suddenly began calling him Lord. He never wanted to be treated any differently than he had, just because of his position as Hokage now. He found himself wondering how Naruto would fair if he actually did achieve his goal at becoming Hokage. Inwardly, Kakashi knew Naruto would do it. He didn't have a doubt.

"I'm going out for a bit, Shizune." Kakashi mumbled as he stood from his desk and circled around it.

Shizune stuck her dark head through the doorway and gave him a stern look, "you just got here." She furrowed her brows and shook her head. There was no stopping him sometimes. And he was stubborn, and lazy.

"It'll be quick, don't worry." He said, a his eye narrowed as if he were smiling beneath the mask. "Just need to stretch my legs." With that, he walked out of his office and exited the Hokage tower.

Citizens greeted him respectfully as he made his way through town, and he politely waved and curtly nodded his silvery head.

Iruka was busy chasing a group of delinquent young students who reminded him of his former rag-tag team and Kakashi smiled to himself.

"That wedding was beautiful, don't you think?" Ino asked casually, relaxing into the seat of the pedicure chair, glancing at her pink haired friend who was deep in her own thought.

Green eyes met blue and Sakura nodded in agreement and smiles. "Who knew Naruto would be the first of us all to tie the knot."

"I don't think any of us suspected it would be him." Ino giggled and shrugged her shoulders. Both girls looked at each other and laughed out loud.

"I can't believe we thought we killed Choji!" Sakura giggled again. "The wedding was fun though, huh?"

"It really was." Ino sighed thoughtfully before speaking again. "So, heard anymore from Sasuke?" She glanced at Sakura with her eyes only, not moving her head from its relaxed position.

"Not a whole lot, but you know," she paused, "he's coming around." A warm smile crept onto her face as she pictured Sasuke and optimistically envisioned the day he'd return to Konoha for good. "Anyway, how's Sai?" She prodded curiously.

Ino blushed. Sai had been the last person she expected to connect with, but love can creep up on people in surprising ways. "He's good," she tried hard not to smile.

"He does take some getting used to, doesn't he?" Sakura teased. Everyone knew they had a rough start, she and Sai. And to this day, he still irritated her. But he was a team mate, and friend.

"I do like him. He's got some sweet moments." She sighed thoughtfully.

"And Shikamaru and Temari huh?" Sakura looked at Ino, wondering what her reaction might be.

"Yes!" Ino cheered. "Although an unlikely pair, I think they're well suited to each other."

"Yeah, it really is so cute... everyone seems to be pairing up, huh?" Sakura said, as she pointed out a nice shade of red to be applied to her dainty little toes.

"All except.."

"Tenten" they sighed in unison. They had invited their brunette friend to come along but she had some things to do. Or so she said.

They each looked at each other and frowned. What was there to do? Although it was not well known around town, Tenten had confided in them both before the war had even begun, she had feelings for Neji. What was not known to them though, was whether or not Neji had feelings for her. He wasn't really the type to emote.

Both girls immediately began to think of the eligible bachelors in the village.

"Kiba?!" Ino gasped and looked at Sakura with an excited and curious expression. Suddenly it was a match making game.

"No, no. He's kinda got a thing for this girl named Tamaki." Sakura waved her hand. "How bout Shino?"

"Sakura I don't think Shino.. likes.. either sex." Ino said, of course it was only speculation. But he really had never expressed Interest in anyone. Male or female.

"Ummm... Well of course there's Lee." Sakura scratched her head.

"Sakura. That's just a flat out no." Ino frowned. It had to be obvious that since Neji's death Tenten was the sole baby-sitter of that group, and Tenten did not need to spend the rest of her days with someone who needed constant supervision.

"If not anyone from our age group, then.. we'll have to look for someone older or younger?" Sakura tapped her chin.

"I mean.. Iruka Sensei is a little handsome." Ino smiled.

"Yes he is. They might get along? But they do both have explosive anger." Sakura laughed to herself.

"Are we really trying to play match-maker for our friend?" Ino asked amusedly as the two of them paid for their pedicures and walked out of the salon together. Despite their differences, or rather intense similarities, the two never bonded better than when talking about their closest friends.

Just before Sakura could respond, she stopped when she spotted her former Sensei, and current fearless leader.

"Ah, Sakura. Ino, good afternoon." Kakashi waved politely.

"Hello, Lord Hokage." Ino and Sakura greeted in unison.

"Please, drop the 'Lord'." He scratched the back of his head sheepishly and let out a muffled chuckle. "What might you two be doing on such a beautiful day?"

"We were just getting pedicures. And yourself? Are you avoiding your duties as the Hokage, Kakashi Sensei?" Sakura folded her arms across her chest and gave him a stern look.

Kakashi waved his hands frantically, "No, no!" He said. "Just out for some fresh air, that's all." Inwardly, Kakashi laughed to himself. Sakura hadn't changed much at all.

"Good." She said with a nod of the pink head.

"Have a good day, Lord Hokage!" Ino waved and grabbed Sakura by the arm, walking with her in the opposite direction that Kakashi appeared to be traveling.

"Ow," Sakura whined and smacked her friend's hand away. "What are you doing?"

Ino's blue eyes twinkled with excitement as a big and mischievous smile crept onto her face. "We've found a match!"

"You can't possibly mean.."

"Yes, I do mean Kakashi Sama. Think about it Sakura. There aren't many female nin his age, willing to settle down because they've already settled down or they just don't have a connection with him."

"Well I guess you're right, if they would've settled down with him, they probably would've done it already. But why Kakashi Sensei?" Sakura inquired, still clearly unsure just what on earth her blonde friend was thinking.

"Well for starters they would balance each other out really well. Kakashi seems like he's so laid back and well... I don't want to say slow.. but you get my drift. Tenten is rambunctious and spontaneous and actually a little impatient. Okay a lot impatient."

"And you don't think those very different qualities would cause problems?" Sakura still wasn't buying the proposal.

"Opposites attract. Just look at you and Sasuke and Hinata and Naruto. Naruto is the loudest most obnoxious person we know, and Hinata is the most sweet and soft spoken girl we know." Ino continued. "Kakashi isn't getting any younger, his chance to start a family is dwindling every day."

"But.. well.."

"And," Ino started again, "Tenten needs someone who could take care of her for a change."

Sakura couldn't disagree with that last statement. "But Ino, those two probably don't give each other a second thought. How on earth are we supposed to get them together?"

"That's the hard part. But luckily we know a man who's good at planning and strategies."

"I'm not helping you two play match-maker. I'm not doin' it." Shikamaru let out a final puff of smoke before stamping out his cigarette and sighing in annoyance.

"Fine, guess I won't invite Temari to stay with me next weekend for a girl's night." Ino turned on her heel and began walking away, urging Sakura to follow and she did.

Ino mentally counted down, 3...2...1

"Wait." Shikamaru grumbled. "Fine, I'll help you."

"Yes!" Ino giggled happily while Sakura clapped. "And I knew you had a thing for Temari."

"Shut up." Shikamaru huffed and sat down on his porch with a girl at either side. "Why are you guys doing this anyway?"

"We really wanna see Tenten happy, you know?" Sakura explained. "And while we probably shouldn't be meddling, I can't help but agree with Ino that this has the potential to be something really special."

"Okay, okay. Don't make it so mushy. You want to find the perfect scenario to put these two together but also make sure it's not an obvious attempt to set them up?"

"Yes, exactly." Both girls nodded in unison.

Shikamaru put his hands together and thought for a moment about what to do. This whole situation was annoying as hell and inwardly he was thinking about what a drag it was. However, he didn't want to miss a chance to see Temari, seeing as how she lived so far away. "Okay, here's what you do.."

Tenten rubbed her dark brown eyes and groaned. "What the hell?" She mumbled, after hearing someone pound on her front door. She was about ready to strangle someone, it was way too early to be knocking on someone's door. She didn't care if she knew the person or not, they were about to get an ear-full. That was for certain.

She stormed out of her bedroom, thick brown hair cascading in messy curls down her back. Grumpily she pulled up her pajama shorts and flung her front door open.

No one stood before her, however an envelope floated like a leaf in the wind and landed right at her feet. It was as if the person holding it vanished just as the door flew open.

Tenten scooped up the envelope and checked her surroundings before walking back inside her apartment and closing the door behind her. It had the Hokage seal on it. She was a little less angry until she read it's contents.

After reading, and rereading it, she was completely shocked, and angered by the fact that the Hokage had demoted her position. Who was he to just decide he was going to demote someone randomly without a proper cause. What had she done to offend him so terribly that he decided she was no longer worthy of her rank?!

"That's it!" She grumbled to herself before throwing on a jacket and storming out of her house. "Hokage or not, this deserves some explaining."

She didn't figure the Hokage would be in his office at this hour in the morning, however he must be awake and sending out some type of messenger to do his dirty work from home. So that's where she went. His home.

Of course for security reasons, there were anbu who guarded his home continuously. So they didn't even let her within ten feet of his house.

It didn't matter to her, she hollered, and made a scene, the anbu began dragging her away to be apprehended but that's when the Hokage stepped out of his home.

Clearly he had been sleeping, his hair was messier than usual, he was wearing simple sweat pants and a tank top style shirt, however his mask was on and perfectly placed. "What's going on?!"

"We apprehended this deranged woman, sir. She was trying to invade your home." An Anbu officer explained as he held Tenten's arms behind her back. Her long dark hair covered her face and she struggled uncomfortably in the man's grip.

"I was not trying to invade his home. But I would like an explanation!" The envelope in her hands floated to the ground, and Kakashi scooped it up.

He looked at the brunette curiously, not recognizing her until she spoke. He hadn't realized Tenten had such long hair, or that she was as shapely as she was. He read over the letter and shook his head, "I'm so sorry you received this." He waved his hand, "let her go she's not here to hurt me."

The Anbu immediately released Tenten and she fell to her knees in the dirt. She pushed away Kakashi's hand when he tried to offer it to her and she stood up on her own. "Why would you demote me?" She asked, brushing her hair from her face and looking at him angrily.

"I didn't send this out, Tenten I can assure you of that. This is a forgery." He tried to appear sympathetic although no one could really tell with the mask of his.

"So who did if you didn't?" Tenten tried to snatch the letter back but he moved his hand back so that she could not.

"I need to hold onto this. I'll have to conduct an investigation and find out who has committed this forgery." He stated directly.

"But I'm not demoted?" She asked, her mood beginning to change and ease up just a bit.

"Not at all. I think you are a fine kunoichi, Tenten with a unique set of skills. However, I don't think it's wise to be out so late dressed like that." He pointed to her pajama attire.

Tenten blushed at his comments. She hadn't been aware that the Hokage had paid much attention to her, let alone held a high opinion of her. Of course perhaps he was obligated to say something nice. "I'm sorry to have bothered you, Lord Hokage." Tenten bowed her head sheepishly, suddenly feeling very embarrassed.

"Please, don't be sorry. And drop the 'Lord'." He chuckled, "We'll get to the bottom of this. Come by my office tomorrow. We can solve the mystery as a team."