One Year Later

Tenten x Shikamaru

Jiraiya had officially named Tenten and Shikamaru the best team ever.

They had been working many cases over the year.

And this was the retirement for Jiraiya.

Tenten was sad. She liked him at a boss. But since Tsunade was also leaving which left Sakura in charge. She left to take her place.

But thankfully, Jiraiya was leaving Shikamaru in charge.

"You ready?" The whole team had gone out for drinks.

"Sure. But it's going to be a drag." Shikamaru said.

"Don't be like that." Choji spoke. "You and Tenten still get to go out on assignments."

"He's right. With Sakura at the other place, she and Hinata all we have left." Kiba said.

"If Hinata wasn't married and on her way to starting a family." Tenten added.

Hinata married Shino and now she's on her way to having a child.

"Yeah. But Ino also is having a child." Choji adds.

Ino married Sai, from Kakashi and Yamato's special forces department, which is kept as a secret location unless you are a member.

Neji was also made the offer but declined.

Supposedly, Garra and his siblings are on the same team, and even Sasuke is secretly in there two.

"True. At least she's happy." Shikamaru said.

Tenten hears of Ino's life and wonders how Shikamaru's doing with it all.

She's tried being open to him. But he's mot much of a talker unless it's about her.

They've gone out for drinks before. But for Tenten every time, felt like they were more then friends.

At least, of late.

"Tenten. Hello?" Choji waved in her face.

"Sorry. Thinking on our first mission." She smiled.

Shikamaru grinned. "I'm sure everyone is fine." He said.

They've been in contacted with Naruto, asking how he is. He's just the same old Naruto.

And soon, he and the other Jinchuriki will come home.

"That was one big mission too. You two were the stars of this station." Choji said.

Kiba chuckled. "There even was a bet pool of how long you two would last."

Tenten glared. "Really? Betting isn't the best way to make money."

"Leave him be. He's just trying not to be a butt hole." Choji said.

"There was also one for Sakura and Choji." Kiba said.

"And I think that's time for me to go." Choji said standing up.

"Come on man. He's just joking." Shikamaru said.

"Please. I have a lady waiting. Don't you?" Choji asked.

Tenten didn't get it. Shikamaru didn't have any girlfriend in his life after Ino.

"Whatever. Have fun with Sakura."

"Yes. Tell her we miss her." Tenten added.

Choji nodded and was off.

"I think I better get going too. Can't leave Akamaru for too long." Kiba said.

"But we've been here for nearly three hours." Tenten said.

Kiba shrugged. "I just know he won't last long." And Kiba was out the door.

And all that was left was Shikamru and Tenten.

"So, your going to be the head now. Chief." Tenten smiled.

Shikamaru sighed. "I really didn't want this. I actually said YOU should have this position. But Jiraiya said I was better qualified. I asked why. You know what he said?"

Tenten shook her head.

"Because I have a brain. Can you believe that. I may have a brain, but so do you. And on top of that, I'm lazy. I'm not wanting to go out in the field. I prefer to be in the lower class. You should be the one in charge. Not me." Shikamaru said.

Tenten sighed. "You deserve this. Because without you, last year, I would have taken in Naruto and all the other jinchuriki's. Tsunade would have all their names. You were the one who figured everything out. And Sasuke talked to YOU about the plan happening." She told him. "You are perfect for this job."

Shikamaru stared at her.

"I still prefer the lower class. It's more fun. No paper work. Not much anyway." Shikamaru scoffs.

Tenten giggles. Never changes.

It was later as Shikamru and Tenten left the bar and walked back.

"You live close?" Shikamaru asks.

"Just down this street." Tenten said pointing.

"I'll walk you home." He shrugged.

Tenten raised a brow. He's never offered before.

"Why now? You've walked with me to places, why now to my own house?" She asked.

Shikamaru just stretched his arms and placed his hands behind his head. "I guess I want to be nice to you for once."

"You've been nice to ma already. You've just been acting wired. Any thing I should know about?" Tenten crossed her arms.

Shikamaru didn't say a word.

Tenten sighed. "You know, I don't hate you. I like you. After that mission last year, my mind was changed about you. I got to know you."

"And I got to know you." He replied.

It was nothing but silence the rest of the way.

Tenten felt like her heart was going to sound like a drum, loud and proud, as Naruto and Lee say.

"This is it? Didn't think of you for living in a house like this." Shikamaru said.

"A small modern house?"

"A pink, green, and gray one." He said.

Tenten laughed. "I don't always have everything green and cream colored." She said.

"I guess you don't." He said.

Why was this so awkward?

"Okay. Look. can we say what we need to say? Cause I think it's obvious." Tenten said standing at her door.

Shikamaru seemed to be turning pink.

"You can come in if you want." Tenten said as she unlocked the door.

"You have always been there for me. You stood by me, when we went on that mission. You hated me,"

"I didn't."

"But you stuck with me. And became my partner for a year." Why was Shikamaru saying all these things? Because Tenten said to.

Rolling her eyes. "You and I both made mistakes. And we learned from them. Working together. We are a good team. A great team."

"The perfect...team." Shikamaru said.

Tenten wasn't sure why she was feeling like this. Her heart was beating so fast.

"Tenten. I'm not sure how to say this." Shikamaru said rubbing the back of his neck.

Tenten took a deep breath. "Shikamaru. Whatever it is. Just do it." She said.

As she said that. Shikamaru went stiff.

Tenten waited for him to do something. And he did.

He placed his hand on her cheek, pulled her close and kissed her.

Tenten took in the moment that was happening. When she did, she kissed back.

Pulling Shikamaru inside, she shut the door.

Her mind was going blank. But at least Shikamaru was here with her. It was him. After Neji she never wanted another relationship, but this, this was just perfect. Like Shikamaru said. The Perfect team.

Next day...

"Morning." Tenten was making breakfast.

"Morning...Did we-"

"Don't. You'll ruin it." Tenten said placing a plate of eggs down.

"Hungry?"

"Sure." Shikamaru sat down.

"We don't tell the others about this. Right?"

"Choji might know. He's known for months." He said.

"Months?" Tenten asks.

"Yeah...I'm been...into you...for about eight months now. Only two months ago I fell in love with you." Shikamaru said.

Tenten looked shocked. "That long? Why have you waited this long to tell me? Or show me, for that matter." Tenten asked.

"Because. After your relationship with Neji, I didn't know if you were dating at all."

"Please. I would have dated if anyone had bothered to ask. Neji was over protective. He wouldn't let others around me." Tenten said. "Shikamaru. I would love to go out with you." She said smiling.

Shikamaru blushed but nodded.

"Then do we tall others or..." Tenten wasn't sure how to explain THIS one to anyone.

"We let this play out. Slowly. But, definitely, Choji will have already figured it out." Shikamaru said.

Tenten nodded. "Okay then. But, do we really date? I mean, we are a lower class and the new chief." Tenten asked.

Shikamru just smirks. "I'm the chief. I can do what I want. And what I want, is to date the best kick butt woman in the whole force." He said.

Tenten blushed. But smiled. He was sweet. Smart. Funny at some times. But he was also, honest. And not over protective.

"I like that." She said.

They finished breakfast and headed out to work.

Acting like everything was normal.

"Choji. Can I talk to you a moment?" Shikamaru called him.

Tenten watched as Choji walked into the office and they had a talk.

By the reactions, Choji was mixed about this news.

They talked for what seemed to be a half hour.

Once Choji came out of the office, he seemed, okay.

"Tenten. Come in here." He then called her.

Tenten didn't respond but she did get up and walked inside.

Hearing whispers.

"Great." She said as the door closed.

"Everyone is suspecting."

"Don't worry about it. If they think, we are going out, that's them. But as long as Choji is the only one who knows, about...last night." Shikamaru said.

Tenten nodded. "So, he's seemed okay with all this."

"Sort of. He was happy for me, and you. He was upset about...last night."

Tenten nodded.

"He honestly thought we drank too much or something." He chuckled.

"So, were good?"

"Yes." He smiled.

Tenten smiled and headed right to the door.

"How about we go to this cafe after work? I'll buy." He said.

Tenten turned to offer a smile. Yes is what she basically said. She was happy. And this year., wasn't going to suck anymore.

As she went back to her desk and sat down...

"Okay. Choji. What the heck is happening? Is something up?"

Choji scowls at Kiba. "Dude, you REALLY don't want to know." Was all he said.

"Did they drink too much?" Kiba asked.

Tenten just smirked. None of that in her house. But she was glad last night happened.

The End