Snowflakes drifted gently from the sky, soft and silent as they touched the rooftops of a small village tucked deep in the Land of Frost. The village was quiet, hidden among tall pine trees and frozen hills. Lanterns flickered dimly in the windows of wooden houses, casting a warm light in the cold, snowy night.
Inside a small house near the village edge, the cries of a newborn echoed through the still air.
A young woman lay on a futon, her face pale but glowing with love. Her black hair stuck to her forehead with sweat, and her black eyes—tired but shining—were locked on the small bundle cradled in her arms.
"He's beautiful," she whispered, tears slipping down her cheeks.
Next to her knelt a man with a strong build. His thick black hair was tied back in a short knot, and though his muscles were firm and his body tough, his eyes were soft—deep and black, filled with wonder.
"He's got your eyes," he said with a gentle smile, reaching out to brush the baby's tiny cheek. "And your nose."
The woman chuckled weakly. "No, no, he's got your ears. Look how pointy they are."
They laughed quietly together, their joy melting away the cold around them. The man leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to the woman's forehead, then looked back at the child.
The baby squirmed lightly in his mother's arms, his face calm and relaxed after his first few cries. He had a small patch of black hair already, soft and wispy, just like his mother's.
"What should we name him?" the man asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
The woman looked down again, her eyes locked on the baby's closed eyelids and tiny fingers curled against the blanket.
"Koi," she said slowly. "I want to name him Koi."
The man blinked, surprised. "Koi?"
She nodded. "It means love. After everything we've been through… he's our love, come to life."
The man was quiet for a moment. Then he smiled again, wider this time, and placed his hand on the baby's head.
"Koi Uchiha," he said. "Our son."
The fire crackled softly in the background as the new parents sat in silence, just staring at the tiny life they had created. The wind outside howled, but inside that room, there was only warmth.
Later that morning, the snow had lightened up, and the sky turned from dark gray to a pale blue. The village streets were still mostly empty—only a few villagers passed by, bundled in thick coats and scarves, nodding gently at each other as they went.
A wooden wheelchair rolled slowly down a snowy path. The man pushed it carefully, his thick hands wrapped around the handles, making sure every bump was gentle. The woman sat in the chair, wrapped in a heavy blanket, her arms holding baby Koi close to her chest. He was asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling steadily under the swaddling.
Some villagers paused as the couple passed, their eyes catching on the baby. A few smiled, and one old woman called out kindly, "Congratulations!"
The man bowed slightly in thanks but didn't speak. His focus was on his wife and child.
"Do you think he'll be strong?" the woman asked softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wheels crunching the snow.
"He already is," the man said. "He came into this world with a strong cry."
She smiled, looking down at Koi. "I hope he grows up to be kind… not just powerful. There's already too much cold in this world."
The man nodded. "We'll teach him. We'll raise him right."
They reached their small house, tucked near the edge of the forest. It was simple, but it was theirs. Smoke still rose from the chimney, and a pile of chopped wood sat by the front door. The man helped his wife out of the chair, holding her steady with one arm as she clutched their son with the other.
Inside, the house was warm. The man had built it himself over the years, using strong wood from the nearby forest. The walls were lined with small shelves holding books, herbs, and tools. A pair of swords hung over the fireplace—one his, the other his wife's, from the days they used to serve their village as shinobi.
The woman sat down on a cushion near the fire, gently rocking Koi in her arms. The baby made a small noise but stayed asleep.
The man sat across from her, watching both of them with a look of quiet pride.
"Can you believe he's really here?" the woman whispered.
"I still think I'm dreaming," he replied.
They sat like that for hours, hardly speaking. The day passed slowly, and the light outside began to fade again. But in their little home, the warmth never left.
Later that night, the woman placed Koi into a small wooden crib the man had carved himself. She tucked him in carefully, her fingers lingering on his cheek.
The man stood beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"He's got a lot ahead of him," he said softly.
"Yes," she agreed. "But he's not alone."
They stayed there for a moment longer, staring at their son. Koi slept peacefully, unaware of the cold world outside, unaware of the future waiting for him.
For now, he was just a baby, safe and warm, loved deeply by the two people who had brought him into the world.
And outside, the snow kept falling, soft and endless.