Well, it's me. I'm going to have a fan fiction like this.

Warning: Zabuza-Haku pairing.

Redundancy report: Not my characters.

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The rain drizzled lightly on the grass as Haku adjusted the tie in his hair. The bun at the top of his head was going to get heavy if the rain kept up like it was. He pulled it out and let his long dark hair fall to his shoulders. It felt good on the back of his neck, cool and damp after a long hot day.

Zabuza was up ahead, scouting out a good place to camp for the night. They were headed to the wave country to complete a mission for some business man that Haku didn't much care for. The pair had only just received the mission, though; their goal (whatever it was) was far off enough that he didn't know the details yet.

Playfully with his Kekkai Genkai abilities, Haku began to play around with some raindrops as they fell. He smiled slightly as the droplets did loop-de-loops and shone with an icy diamond light.

"Haku?"

The droplets fell to the ground and Haku looked up. "Yes, Zabuza-san?" He looked annoyed.

"What are you doing back there? I thought there was trouble."

Haku blushed. "Nothing, sir." Zabuza must have sensed Haku melding his chakra from a distance and wanted to check on him. I shouldn't have worried him…

Zabuza sighed gruffly and headed back.

"I found somewhere sheltered from the rain," was all he said. Haku nodded and followed.

The rain got heavier and lightning danced across the sky. A gentle but cool wind raced along the ground. Water splashed up at Haku's feet with every step. He was beginning to wonder how much further they were when he saw the trees up ahead.

"It's just a little ways in this forest," said Zabuza shortly without turning around.

Haku nodded. His nose tingled and he barely held back a soft sneeze. He hugged his arms around his now soaked clothes; he was just beginning to shiver.

It was slightly warmer under the trees, with no wind and no rain, but still, the night had brought a chill that Haku couldn't stand up to in his wet clothes. He sneezed, this time not being able to hold it back.

"Hm?" Zabuza turned around. "You getting sick?"

"No, I'll be fine," replied Haku with his usual smile. He continued walking behind Zabuza. "Don't worry about me."

However, he was lying to Zabuza. The ex-mist ninja was prone to catching colds when his clothes were wet and cold. He usually avoided the situation, but at this point in time it had been unavoidable.

Haku sniffled, trying to keep his composure. How much further along is it? He shivered more, trying to ignore it.

The trees thickened. He heard Zabuza's voice up ahead, but his eyes were on his feet. He could feel a fever creeping on and was beginning to get dizzy.

"We're almost there, Haku."

"… All right," he answered softly.

Zabuza stopped and turned around. "You all right back there, Haku?"

"Mm Hm," mumbled Haku. Suddenly, he seemed to be getting very dizzy...

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Haku lifted his eyelids. He was warm and mostly dry, and the rain and wind were barely an echo. There was a fire near by, although far enough away to be safe. Zabuza sat across the blaze, sharpening his sword. They were in a small earthen cave. Every once and a while, lightning and thunder danced together.

Haku sat up and the blankets, all of the ones that they had brought with them, slid down. He realized that he wasn't wearing anything and pulled the blankets back up around his cold, exposed shoulders. Zabuza must have seen him move, for he spoke.

"You have a fever. You're sick."

Haku's dark, sad eyes dropped; he blushed and looked shameful. "I'm sorry, Zabuza-san. I shouldn't have told you that I was all right."

Zabuza shrugged, putting down the sword. "You'll be fine once you rest. That's what matters."

Haku looked up at him, smiling. "See, you do care."

"Hmph." He got up and walked over to teh back of the cave, towards Haku. "You're no use to me if you're sick," he added gruffly and sat against the dirty wall of the cave.

Haku got up, the blankets still wrapped warmly around him. He walked a few shaky steps over to Zabuza and passed him the blanket that was on top. Haku's blankets slid down, revealing the pale skin of his arm and chest.

"Hm?"

"You must be cold. I can see you're still wet." He took another step closer and faltered, going to his knees. Haku began to shiver uncontrollably.

Zabuza reached over and put a hand to his forehead. "You're fever's gotten worse. Lay down and sleep, Haku."

"Not until I know you're taking care of yourself, too." He leaned close to Zabuza, forcing the other blanket over to him. Still dizzy, he lost his balance and fell into Zabuza.

"You never give up, do you?"

Haku shook his head stubbornly, looking into his master's thin eyes. He leaned closer, face right beside Zabuza's; their lips almost touched. Then...

Haku fell asleep in Zabuza's arms before he could kiss Zabuza. The older man sighed. "You're so innocent," he whispered to himself as he wrapped the blankets tightly around Haku. Zabuza's hand lingered on the blanket Haku had handed him and hesitantly threw it around his shoulders, seeking its warmth. "That's what I love about you."

All right, first chapter of this. I love writing this so much, so I hoped you liked reading it. I'll write more, probably up to (and into?) the land of the waves part that actually happens in the series.

Reviews appreciated.