Snow fell in dense, swirling blankets over Akagakure, transforming the island homeland into a serene winter wonderland. A few months had passed since Aina's wedding, and the village had settled into a rhythm of rebuilding and renewal.
The air was crisp and biting, carrying the faint scent of pine from the surrounding forests and the salty tang of the nearby sea. Yet, despite the chill that nipped at exposed skin, the Uzumaki pressed on with their daily tasks undeterred.
Construction crews hammered away at new wooden homes, their fuinjutsu seals glowing faintly to ward off the frost. Hunters ventured into the snow-dusted woods, bows in hand, while fishers braved the icy waters in sturdy boats reinforced with chakra barriers.
The clan's legendary vitality made the cold more of an annoyance than a threat, but it didn't stop them from bundling up in thick, padded coats and scarves.
For Kushina Uzumaki, the Akakage and heart of the clan, this winter day was a rare indulgence. She had dedicated nearly every waking moment to her people- overseeing patrols, distributing resources, and training the next generation of shinobi. Personal time was a luxury she seldom allowed herself, but today, she had carved out a few hours for something lighter.
Walking beside her through the village's snow-covered paths were Aina Uzumaki and Rina, her young secretary.
Kushina was dressed in a warm winter jacket, its padded red fabric making her look a bit chubbier than her toned figure usually appeared. The jacket's high collar framed her face, and her long scarlet hair was tucked into a loose braid beneath a woolen hat, a few rebellious strands escaping to frame her blue eyes.
Though her Uzumaki blood kept her from truly feeling the cold's bite, the jacket's coziness was a comfort she relished. Aina, walking to her right, wore a similar outfit in deep purple, her dark red hair tied back in a practical bun. She was newly married to Akinari, and the glow of their union still lingered on her face.
To Kushina's left skipped Rina, her 10-year-old secretary and budding protégé. Rina's spiky red hair poked out from under her hat, and her gray eyes shone with youthful energy.
Despite her age, Rina had proven invaluable- organizing schedules, taking notes during meetings, and even offering surprisingly insightful advice on clan matters. Kushina had taken her under her wing, seeing a bit of herself in the girl.
Kushina inhaled the sharp winter air and exhaled slowly. A day for herself. She almost felt guilty, but Kurama's voice in a memory reminded her: 'Rest is not weakness, girl. If you burn too much, then nothing will be left.'
He had originally said that when she asked why he slept and lounged around all day. She thought he was just being lazy, but now she sees the truth in his words.
The three girls strolled through the village's central square, where a group of children were building snow forts under the watchful eye of elder clansmen. The air rang with laughter as a snowball fight erupted, white puffs exploding against makeshift barriers etched with simple fuinjutsu seals to keep them standing.
Kushina paused, a smile tugging at her lips. "Look at them," she said, her voice carrying a rare note of contentment. "Free and happy. This is what we've fought for."
Aina nodded, her breath fogging in the air. "It's beautiful. Remember when we first arrived? Tents and mud. Now... this." She gestured to the sturdy homes lining the square, their roofs dusted with snow, solar seals glowing faintly to melt the accumulation and power the interiors.
Rina's eyes lit up. "Lady Kushina, can we join them? Just for a bit? I bet I can make the best snowball with a wind seal!"
"Lady Kushina, can we join them?" Rina's eyes lit up, her little boots stamping the snow flat. "We can't just walk around all day. That's boring."
Kushina raised an eyebrow. "Oh? A snowball fight, brat?"
Rina beamed. "That's right!"
Aina laughed softly, brushing a strand of dark red hair behind her ear. "Careful, Kushina. If Rina joins, you might regret challenging her."
"Hey!" Kushina crossed her arms, smirking. "What's that supposed to mean? You think I'm gonna go easy on her?"
"That's exactly what I mean," Aina teased, her eyes glinting.
Rina stuck her tongue out. "Don't go easy on me, Lady Kushina! I'll win!"
Kushina just chuckled.
They found an open stretch near the training grounds, where the snow was thick and undisturbed. Within minutes, Rina was already gathering clumps of snow, stacking it into a tiny fort.
Kushina crouched, hands dusted with frost as she packed a perfect sphere with practiced precision. "You know," she said lightly, "back in Konoha, I once knocked a boy straight into a pond with one throw."
Rina gasped, wide-eyed. "Really?!"
"Mm. He didn't stop shivering for hours."
Aina chuckled from where she knelt, helping smooth Rina's lopsided wall. "Poor boy. I almost pity him."
The first snowball flew before Kushina had even stood up. It smacked into her chest and burst apart, leaving wet powder on her jacket.
Rina squealed with laughter. "First hit's mine!"
Kushina retaliated with precision, "You forget, Rina- I can see your chakra coming a mile away!" She grinned fiercely, scooping up snow and channeling a hint of her chakra to compact it into a denser projectile. Her throw was a blur, arcing perfectly to tag Rina on the arm.
The square erupted in chaos- snow flying in all directions, laughter mingling with mock battle cries. Kushina felt a lightness she hadn't known in a while, her worries about the other villages or Madara faded into the background.
Rina's infectious energy pulled her deeper into the game, the girl's gray eyes wide with excitement as she teamed up with her idol. Aina, usually reserved, let loose, her purple eyes sparkling with joy.
As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the snow, the group called a truce, breathless and covered in white. "That was amazing!" Rina exclaimed, flopping into a snowdrift. "We should do this every winter!"
Aina nodded, brushing snow from her coat. "Agreed. It's been too long since we've just... played."
Kushina smiled, her cheeks flushed from the cold and exertion. "Yeah. We needed this." But as they shook off the snow, her stomach rumbled audibly, drawing laughs. "Alright, enough fun. Let's get dinner. My treat- the communal hall's got a lot of great food tonight."
The three women headed to the communal dining hall, a spacious building with fuinjutsu-heated seats and long tables where clansmen gathered for meals. The air inside was thick with the savory aroma of grilled fish, herbs, and fresh bread. They claimed a table near the fire, plates piled high with hearty portions. The hall buzzed with conversation, Uzumaki sharing stories of the day's work, their family, or reminiscing about Uzushio.
They found a quiet table near the window, where frost traced delicate patterns across the glass.
Rina leaned eagerly over the menu, though her eyes darted more to the other tables where sizzling plates were being carried. "I want fish! No, wait- dumplings! No, maybe both…"
"Slow down," Aina said with a small laugh, smoothing the child's hair. "You'll burst before you finish even half of that."
Kushina smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "Let her dream. Uzumaki stomachs can handle more than you think."
Dinner came in steaming bowls and platters: hot broth, dumplings stuffed with pork and cabbage, grilled fish that flaked under their chopsticks, and rice topped with pickled vegetables. The heat seeped into their bones, and the three of them ate with an eagerness born from hours in the snow.
For a while, conversation was light- village gossip, small triumphs in training, and Rina regaling them with exaggerated tales of her snowball "victories." Aina, however, seemed quieter than usual, picking at her food with a soft smile.
But eventually, Aina set her chopsticks down,
"There's… something I wanted to tell you both," she began. Her voice carried a strange mixture of nerves and joy, enough to make Rina stop mid-bite and look up curiously.
Kushina tilted her head. "What's up?"
Aina's hand drifted unconsciously to her stomach. "I'm pregnant."
The table fell silent for a heartbeat, then erupted in joy. Rina's eyes widened in delight. "A baby? That's amazing!"
Kushina's heart swelled, "Aina... that's wonderful." She reached across the table, squeezing Aina's hand. The news hit her deeply- another life, another step toward the clan's revival she'd fought so hard for.
Aina nodded, her smile radiant and shy all at once. "Yes. A little girl. I can tell with the Mind's Eye of Kagura." She hesitated, then added, "We've decided to name her… Karin."
"That's a good name. Karin..." Kushina repeated the name softly, as though tasting it.
Rina bounced in her seat. "Can I help babysit? I promise I'll teach her all the best seals."
The women laughed, the warmth of the fire mirroring the glow in their hearts. As the evening deepened, Kushina felt a profound sense of peace. In this moment, surrounded by friends and the promise of new life, Akagakure felt unbreakable.
Yet, as they walked back under the starlit sky, Kushina's thoughts drifted to Kurama, waiting in their shared quarters. Another day of simple joys, but the shinobi world's shadows loomed. Still, with her clan thriving and bonds like these, she was ready for whatever came next.