Haku/Hinata
Hinata sighed and leaned against a tree. She bent over slightly and took off one shoe to massage her sore foot.
'These shoes weren't made for walking,' she thought as she looked at the ceremonial, elegant, yet highly uncomfortable shoe in her hand. She bent to replace it, but lost her balance and began to fall.
She was caught by strong, delicate hands and was helped to regain her balance.
"Here, let me help," said a soft, feminine voice.
Hinata blushed slightly as a very beautiful man replaced the shoe on her foot.
"You must be going somewhere special to have to wear these," the young man murmured as he looked at Hinata.
Hinata's blush deepend. 'He's gorgeous! He is a guy, right?' she wondered. The statement sunk in and she nodded, stuttering, "I-I am. M-my cousin is g-getting m-married today. I overslept an-and was left behind..." she trailed off, looking away. She was always getting in her family's way. Her father told her so constantly, and Neji always agreed.
"Such a cute girl as yourself ought to have an escort," Haku said with a small smile for Hinata. 'Zabuza will understand,' he thought to himself.
Hinata blushed and stuttered her thanks, which Haku waved away. He offered Hinata his hand and Hinata hesitantly took it.
"Which way?" Haku asked softly.
Hinata pointed in the general direction of the road and Haku smiled kindly. The two walked together in silence, Hinata feeling as if her heartbeat would be audible to Haku.
"U-umm...what is your name?" Hinata asked hesitantly, softly.
Haku blinked, mildly surprised, and then smiled. "I am Haku."
"That's a pretty name," Hinata murmured softly.
"You are?"
"H-hinata," Hinata stuttered shyly.
"It suits you," Haku said kindly.
The two talked at infrequent intervals, enjoying the silence and simple presence of the other more than anything else. The pair reached the town Hinata was headed to by mid-afternoon, and Hinata released her hold on Haku's hand.
"I-I can't thank you enough..." she said softly.
Haku smiled and nodded. "It was my pleasure. I do not often get to travel with such gentle company."
Hinata blushed, then bowed low, before turning and walking slowly, carefully, into the town, towards the hall where the wedding was to take place, wondering if she had missed the ceremony.
Haku smiled slightly, sadly as he watched her go. He sighed and then focused on where he had left Zabuza. He performed the appropriate hand-seals and disappeared in a puff of smoke. He had been truthful when he said it was nice to travel in gentle company, for if there was one thing Zabuza was not, it was gentle.
Author: I hope you approve. I apologize if it was not what you were thinking, but I did my best. Please ignore any grammar mistakes or OOC-ness. Thank you for requesting!