The ancient bronze bell of the shrine rang for the one hundred and eighth time, its deep and solemn sound echoing across the quiet winter night.
Each powerful toll rolled through the air like ripples in a frozen lake. Snow resting on the pine branches trembled and fell gently to the ground.
The New Year had arrived.
Around the shrine, villagers and shinobi who had gathered for the celebration slowly began to disperse. Lanterns glowed softly along the stone paths, casting warm golden light over the falling snow.
Uchiha Tsukiko held a small Omamori charm in her hands. It was said that if you prayed sincerely at the shrine on New Year's Eve, the charm would protect your wishes for the entire year.
She stared at the small embroidered charm with curiosity.
But before she could study it properly, a warm hand suddenly grabbed her arm.
"Come on! Let's go home!" Kushina said brightly.
Her cheeks were flushed red from both the cold wind and excitement. White mist puffed from her lips as she spoke beneath the lantern light.
"You're not escaping tonight," she continued happily. "I already told Minato that if he comes back late, he'll sleep on the sofa. You're sleeping in my room tonight! We're going to stay up together and welcome the New Year!"
For a moment, Tsukiko froze.
Her brain struggled to process what she had just heard.
"…Eh?" she stammered.
"Sleep… in your room?"
"With you?"
Her feet stumbled awkwardly on the snowy path, and she almost tripped forward like someone bowing for New Year greetings far too early.
Kushina looked at her reaction and burst into laughter.
"What's with that face?" she teased. "Are you worried that I snore?"
She playfully pinched Tsukiko's cheek.
"Relax! I sleep very well. And the bed is big enough for both of us… and Naruto too."
She gently placed a hand on her stomach as she said that.
Tsukiko felt the words hit her like an explosion.
Sleeping in the same room as Kushina?
Her thoughts instantly turned chaotic.
Inside her mind, fireworks exploded louder than the shrine bell.
"Stay calm… stay calm…" she told herself desperately.
This was Kushina—Minato's wife, the legendary kunoichi, and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
More importantly…
She was someone Tsukiko admired deeply.
Trying to maintain her composure, Tsukiko straightened herself and nodded.
"Then… I'll accept your kindness," she said quickly.
Her answer came so fast that Kushina blinked in surprise before smiling warmly.
"Good! That's settled!"
She grabbed Tsukiko's hand and began walking toward the Hokage residence.
---
The Hokage Residence
The road home felt strangely short.
Tsukiko barely noticed the snowy streets of Konoha passing by.
Her thoughts were far too busy spinning.
By the time they reached the Hokage residence, warm light glowed through the windows.
The moment they stepped inside, the comforting warmth of a home greeted them.
Kushina brushed snow off Tsukiko's shoulders before pushing her gently toward the hallway.
"First things first," Kushina said firmly.
"Hot bath!"
"You're freezing!"
"I'll go find you some pajamas while you wash up."
Before Tsukiko could protest, she was already being ushered into the bathroom.
Steam soon filled the room as warm water washed away the cold of the winter night.
When Tsukiko finally stepped out, wrapped in clean towels and warm air, she felt completely relaxed.
By the time she returned to the bedroom, she noticed something immediately.
Kushina was kneeling on the large bed, arranging blankets and pillows.
The room felt surprisingly cozy.
This was clearly Kushina's personal space.
It wasn't the strict or formal room someone might expect from the Hokage's home.
Instead, it felt warm and lively.
Small ornaments decorated the shelves. Several pots of green succulents rested near the window.
On the bedside table sat a framed photograph.
Minato and Kushina.
Both smiling brightly.
Tsukiko paused when she saw it.
The image radiated warmth.
Kushina noticed her standing there and waved a pair of pink pajamas in the air.
"Come try these!"
"They're from when I was younger," Kushina explained cheerfully. "They should fit you."
Tsukiko accepted them.
"These are… very cute," she said honestly.
Kushina laughed.
"They were my favorite back then!"
By the time Tsukiko finished changing, Kushina had already slipped into loose purple loungewear and settled comfortably onto the bed.
She patted the mattress beside her.
"Come here!"
"Let's talk before sleeping."
---
A Warm New Year Night
Soon the two of them were sitting together on the large bed.
Kushina had brought snacks and oranges from the kitchen.
Outside, snow continued falling quietly over Konoha.
Inside, laughter filled the room.
"You know what happened yesterday?" Kushina said suddenly while peeling an orange.
"I ran into Mikoto while shopping."
Tsukiko immediately became interested.
"Oh?"
"She told me Fugaku spent half the day arguing with the elders again," Kushina said with an amused grin.
Tsukiko chuckled.
That sounded exactly like the Uchiha clan.
Kushina continued her story energetically, talking about village gossip and funny things that happened during meetings.
At one point she suddenly made an exaggerated expression.
"You have no idea how annoying Danzo can be!"
Tsukiko blinked.
"Oh?"
Kushina puffed her cheeks.
"At the last meeting he said I should behave more 'dignified' as the Hokage's wife!"
She snorted.
"If I tried to act dignified all the time I'd go crazy."
Tsukiko laughed quietly.
Kushina's personality was the complete opposite of formal.
That lively spirit was exactly what made people like her.
Kushina broke the orange in half and handed a piece to Tsukiko.
"Here!"
"This one is sweet."
Tsukiko accepted it gratefully.
"It really is."
For a while they continued chatting like sisters, sharing snacks and stories while snow drifted quietly outside the window.
Eventually Kushina stretched and leaned back against the pillows.
"Haa… now this is comfortable."
Her long red hair spread across the pillow like a flowing river of flame.
Tsukiko glanced at her.
For a moment she thought:
Minato must be very lucky.
After a long day of celebration and walking through the snow, sleep slowly began to creep in.
Tsukiko moved slightly closer under the blankets.
Kushina noticed.
Without hesitation she gently wrapped an arm around Tsukiko's shoulders.
"Cold?" she asked softly.
Tsukiko shook her head.
"…No."
Kushina smiled and patted her gently like an older sister comforting a child.
"If you're sleepy, just rest."
Her voice had become quiet and warm.
Outside, the winter wind blew softly against the window.
Inside, the room felt peaceful.
Tsukiko closed her eyes.
For a moment she simply listened.
Kushina's calm breathing.
The faint crackling of the heater.
The distant sounds of the village celebrating the New Year.
"…Sister," Tsukiko murmured sleepily.
"Hm?"
"Will things always stay this peaceful?"
Kushina chuckled softly.
"Of course."
"As long as Minato is here… and Naruto is here…"
She paused before adding warmly,
"And now you're here too."
Tsukiko smiled faintly.
In her heart, she silently made a promise.
As long as I'm here…
I'll protect this happiness.
---
A Late Night Visitor
Some time later, the house grew quiet.
Then—
Click.
The sound of the front door unlocking broke the silence.
Minato Namikaze stepped inside quietly, brushing snow from his cloak.
In his hand he carried a warm bag of oden he had bought on the way home.
He had hoped to surprise Kushina.
But when he gently opened the bedroom door, he stopped.
The sight before him made him laugh softly.
Kushina was asleep on her side.
Tsukiko had fallen asleep beside her.
The two of them were wrapped in blankets like sisters sharing secrets late into the night.
Red hair and black hair were tangled together on the pillow.
It was a peaceful scene.
Minato smiled warmly.
"Sigh…"
He placed the oden on the bedside table and quietly walked over.
He gently pulled the blanket higher to keep them warm.
Just as he turned to leave, something unexpected happened.
One of Tsukiko's eyes suddenly opened.
She wasn't asleep at all.
For a moment the young Uchiha looked directly at the Fourth Hokage.
Then she winked mischievously.
Minato froze.
Tsukiko silently mouthed a message.
"Just for tonight."
Minato stared for a moment before letting out a quiet laugh.
He pointed playfully toward her forehead.
Then he nodded.
"Alright," he whispered.
"Just for tonight."
Minato quietly left the room and closed the door.
Inside the bedroom, the peaceful warmth of the New Year night continued.
And outside, snow continued to fall gently over Konoha.