CH 9: Warmth in the Cold

Night gently blanketed the snowy mountains. A cold breeze whispered against the stone walls of the cave where they sought shelter. A small campfire flickered at the center of the narrow space, casting golden light across the faces of its three inhabitants. The scent of roasted meat from their hunt hung in the air—warm and soothing.

Kakashi sat with his back against the cave wall, chewing slowly on a piece of meat, his face still slightly pale from the previous battle. Across from him, Kushina wrapped Koyuki Kazahana in her large cloak, shielding the little girl from the cold.

Koyuki took a small bite of the roasted meat Kushina had given her. Her gaze was blank, still haunted by the chaos of the day.

Trying to lighten the mood, Kushina smiled and spoke in a gentle tone, "You know, I have a baby at home. His name is Naruto."

Koyuki looked up, eyes wide with surprise. "A baby? But… but you look so young!"

Kushina paused for a moment, then let out a soft laugh, her face glowing. "Haha! So I still look young, huh?"

Koyuki nodded innocently. "I thought you were just a few years older than that white-haired guy."

Warmed by the unintentional compliment, Kushina spontaneously pulled Koyuki into a gentle hug. "Oh my goodness, you're such a sweet girl! Thank you!"

A small smile formed on Koyuki's face. She looked more at ease now, nestled in Kushina's arms.

Kushina looked at the little girl's face, and for a moment, something stirred in her chest. As if motherhood had become a natural part of her. She almost forgot… that in her previous life, she was a man. But now—in this world, in this body, with a child calling her "Mama"—it all felt like memories from someone else's life.

Koyuki turned with curious eyes. "If you have a baby… who's the dad? Is it that white-haired guy over there?"

"Guh—!" Kakashi, mid-bite, choked violently. He bent over, coughing hard and patting his chest, his face flushed red like a tomato.

"Pfft—hahaha!" Kushina stifled her laugh, then burst out, slapping her thigh with glee. "Hahahaha! Oh my God, Kakashi! Don't tell me you were that shocked!"

Still coughing, Kakashi raised one hand in surrender. "I… cough… I didn't do anything wrong…"

Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, Kushina chuckled. "Listen, Koyuki. Kakashi's my junior, not my husband. Besides, he's only fourteen—I'm twenty-four."

Koyuki tilted her head, scrutinizing Kushina's face. "Twenty-four…?" she muttered. "But you look like… eighteen…"

Kushina gazed up at the cave ceiling with a wide smile, cheeks tinged pink with joy. "Wow, I'm getting so many compliments tonight…"

She kissed Koyuki's cheek playfully. "You're such a sweet kid. Naruto would love having a friend as cute as you."

Meanwhile, Kakashi stared blankly into the fire, trying to collect the pieces of his mind shattered by that innocent but lethal question.

'Husband… me?' he thought with a long sigh.

"Please let this mission end quickly…" he whispered under his breath.

Two days later, with the morning sun hanging low on the eastern horizon, they finally reached their destination.

Snow crunched beneath their feet, but the tense silence from before had vanished. Koyuki seemed more cheerful than when they first found her. She chatted happily as she walked beside Kushina, gripping her hand tightly as if unwilling to let go.

"Does it snow in Konoha too?" Koyuki asked, lightly kicking a pile of snow along the path.

Kushina smiled warmly. "Rarely, but it has."

Her eyes sparkled. "If you ever saw Naruto trying to bite my blanket like a little fox, you wouldn't be able to resist pinching his cheeks!"

Koyuki giggled. "Naruto must be really cute…"

A soft smile appeared on her face. She looked forward, eyes shining with wonder. "I want to have a baby too someday… one that's warm and cute like Naruto."

Kushina looked at her and gently patted her head. But before she could respond, Koyuki added, "And if I can't find a husband… maybe that white-haired guy could be one."

"Huh?" muttered Kakashi behind them, nearly tripping over his own feet.

He glanced at them with a blank stare, a small vein twitching on his temple. Inwardly, he screamed, What the hell is going on?

Kushina immediately turned with a mischievous grin. "Oh my, Kakashi… looks like you've got a tiny admirer."

"This isn't my fault…" Kakashi thought wearily, bowing his head to hide the strange mix of embarrassment and frustration bubbling inside. Please… Sage of Six Paths… let this mission end before I lose my sanity.

They continued walking through a small village nestled at the base of the mountains. After asking a few blacksmiths hammering metal and a fabric merchant organizing their wares, they finally got directions to the home of a man named Mifune.

A large wooden house stood on the edge of the village—simple, yet sturdy. When the door opened, a middle-aged man stepped out to greet them. His posture was firm, a neatly trimmed beard lining his jaw, and a sharp, disciplined aura in his gaze—a true samurai.

Kushina stared at the man for a moment. Her brows furrowed slightly as if trying to recall something. Then—

Ah… no wonder he looked familiar. That's Mifune. The leader of the Land of Iron from the Naruto anime! So now I'm really meeting him face to face…

Still, she maintained a polite, composed smile. She knew when to hide personal shock. This was a mission. And officially, Kakashi was the team captain. She stepped half a pace back, allowing Kakashi to speak.

Kakashi stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "We come from Konoha under direct request from Kazahana Sousetsu, the Daimyo of the Land of Snow. Our mission is to place his daughter, Koyuki Kazahana, under your protection, Mifune-dono."

Mifune closed his eyes for a moment. His expression tensed. "Sousetsu…" he whispered. "So the coup really happened…"

He opened his eyes and looked at Koyuki. The little girl half-hid behind Kushina's arm, her eyes nervous.

Mifune stepped forward slowly and knelt to her level. His expression was serious, but not frightening—only sincere and respectful.

"From this day on, I will protect you, Lady Koyuki. As a friend of your father, I swear that no one will lay a hand on you."

Koyuki blinked. Her voice came out small. "R-really?"

"Truly." Mifune's tone was filled with conviction. "As long as you are under my protection, even if it's a Kage from one of the great villages, no ninja or samurai will touch you without crossing blades with me first."

His words were firm—sharp as a sword forged through decades of battle.

Koyuki clung tightly to Kushina's hand. But for the first time, there was a trace of peace in her eyes.

Kushina looked down and smiled warmly. She'll be safe here…

"Please, come in," said Mifune, rising. "You must be tired. My home is simple, but you'll find it comfortable enough to rest."

Kakashi bowed again. "Thank you, Mifune-dono."

As they stepped inside the house, Kakashi walked behind them, sneaking a glance at Kushina who was quietly giggling to herself.

"…You know, Kushina-san," he murmured, "From now on, I'll keep a five-meter distance from you."

"Haha! Why? Afraid you'll fall for me?" Kushina teased.

Kakashi let out a long sigh. Sage… help me…