Outfits – Kasumi: Blue-and-gold qipao Mandarin dress

Helena: Light blue-and-gold qipao Mandarin dress

Helena stares at the setting sun in her office on the Freedom Survivor, wearing her light blue-and-gold Mandarin dress with matching gloves and stockings topped off with a pair of high heels, and her arms crossed under her chest. The French beauty had planned a small, private party for her errand girl, Kasumi's, birthday. She had sent out invites to some of the redhead's closest friends and wrote for them to wear something Chinese-related attire to also celebrate the recent Lunar New Year beginning for those of Chinese descent that would be attending.

Helena could faintly see her reflection on the window, and wore a proud, tiny smile liking the dress she was wearing. She had a good feeling about the party happening tonight.

Behind her, she could hear the doors opening snapping her out of her thoughts. The Aristocrat turned around and saw walking into her office was the birthday girl herself, also in a blue-and-gold Mandarin dress. The color itself was shaded as blue as her iconic ninja garb the ginger was most identified with. Kasumi was also wearing gloves, stockings and heels to match.

Helena gave her errand girl a welcoming smile and greeted Kasumi.

"Bonjour, Kasumi. How was Valentine's Day?"

Kasumi stopped in front of Helena's desk with her hands crossed in a position her beloved Momiji usually did and bowed to the elegant blonde with a smile in return.

"Hello, Helena-sama. My Valentine's Day was wonderful. I spent the whole day with Momiji-chan." The redhead greeted back politely.

"How was yours with Ayane?" Kasumi asked back.

"Surprisingly joyful." Helena said, walking to the side of her desk, putting her hands on her hips. "Ayane was apprehensive at first, but our day was very fun. She is a sweetheart."

Kasumi giggled before responding. "I'm glad to hear she wasn't a burden. Ayane isn't the kind to do with romantic stuff, usually."

"She actually helped the chefs make our dinner. The girl was full of surprises… and a tremendous cook to boot." Helena said.

"Ayane is a girl of many talents… some she doesn't like to share, but is very good at." Kasumi replied.

"I hope I can see more of them." Helena wondered aloud.

"It'll take some prying." Kasumi assured the French woman.

"That I can believe." Helena said with a small chuckle. Kasumi joined in at the thought of Ayane showing more of her non-ninja related skills to their employer.

"Thank you for setting up the birthday party tonight. That's so kind of you… But, why did you want to see me now, Lady Helena?" Kasumi asked. "The party isn't until a few hours from now."

"I just wanted to see you before it started." Helena answered before adding.

"I must say, Kasumi… your dress looks beautiful. Much like yourself."

Kasumi's cheeks turned pink a little at the compliment. See the shinobi blush was one of Helena's favorite sights in the world.

"My lady… I'm flattered. But you look so natural in yours." Kasumi commented back.

"Hm hm. Thank you, Kasumi. I was thinking about braiding my hair before we left. I know how much you love seeing it. I would like your help, since you're so quick at making one with yours." Helena offered.

"I… I would love to, Helena-sama." Kasumi accepted. "But you've gotten so good at making it by yourself… Why would need my help?" She asked afterwards.

"I've only gotten so skilled at it thanks to your teaching, dear. But the length I usually like to make it in is too much for one person." Helena explained.

Kasumi nodded before repeating her acceptance with a quick bow.

Helena nodded and walked up to her errand girl. The two ladies stared at each other with admiration for a while, feeling the small love and affection that carried over from their dating days still between them.

Kasumi's bright expression slowly turned into one filled with doubt. Helena wondered what was wrong as Kasumi took her ponytail and ran her hands down it over her shoulder.

"Now that you mention braiding… I'm thinking if I should make mines into one, too? Would it make my appearance more mature… or childish?" The ninja princess pondered in front of Helena.

Helena slightly chuckled to herself, kind of amused at the younger, adorable girl battling with her insecurity before speaking up to get Kasumi's attention.

"Come with me, darling." She said politely, slightly extending her hand to Kasumi.

The ginger took Helena's hand and was lead to the bedroom next to the office, a place Kasumi used to call home at one time. Helena led her shinobi to the mirror in her room and stood Kasumi in front of it before hugging her from behind, wrapping herself around Kasumi's arms and body. Kasumi felt that familiar warmth from the Aristocrat and calmed down a little from her earlier self-doubt.

"Do you know what I see?... I see a beautiful, young woman who is capable of strength, honor, conviction and love, among other things. Kasumi… you're as pretty as the cherry blossoms that you leave in your wake." Helena poured out before turning Kasumi around carefully with her hands near Kasumi's shoulders.

"No matter how your present yourself, you'll always be a gorgeous, radiant flower that brightens up everyone and everything you touch." The elegant beauty said.

"Lady Helena…" Kasumi says with beaming eyes. Helena touches Kasumi's face with her hands.

"Don't worry about how you look… anyone who can't see your beauty are lying to themselves. When I call you my "cherry blossom", that's a compliment of your beautiful looks… and your heart and soul. You'll always be an angel to me."

"Helena… I have no words." Kasumi tried getting out, speechless at her lady's words.

Helena gently hugs Kasumi. "You don't need to say anything… Your smile is all the thanks I need."

Kasumi wraps her arms around Helena's waist and rests her head on Helena's chest with a grateful, closed-eye smile.

"…Thank you. That was truly beautiful." The redhead says softly.

Helena looks at her errand girl and brushes Kasumi's soft, red hair lightly. After a minute, Kasumi lifts her head up to look at Helena with the biggest smile.

"I think I'll go like this, after all." She reveals.

"Whatever you're fine with… You'll get no problems from me." Helena says supportively, brushing the bangs on Kasumi's hair lightly.

Kasumi keeps her smile while closing her eyes again, taking in the gentle touches from Helena. Then, Helena asks Kasumi something.

"Kasumi… are you going to be okay with dancing at the party?" She asks the birthday girl.

Kasumi's eyes open with some hesitation on her face.

"A little? I'm not too good a dancer." Kasumi nervously replies.

"It won't be anything you'd see at clubs or loud parties. It's up to you." Helena assures her shinobi.

"Well… I've always had a soft spot for slow dances… But I don't know how to do it." Kasumi says with her nervous voice again.

Helena nods, wondering what to do. Then, her face lights up as if a light bulb went off in her head. She leads Kasumi back to the office and gets her smartphone lying on her desk.

"It probably doesn't surprise you, but ballroom dancing in something I have experience with. I'm not the best, but I can wow a crowd if need be." Helena says excitedly as she looked through her music library.

Kasumi looks on a little puzzled, taken a little aback at how unusually excited Helena was being.

"Ah, this can do!" The French Aristocrat suddenly said. She tapped her phone and increased the volume loud enough it can heard by both girls. A soothing, slow-paced song can be heard from the phone as Helena placed it down on her desk.

"Would you feel better if I gave you some pointers? We won't have a lot of time since the party is later, but I can teach you a few things that even a novice that pick up on quickly." Helena said confidently with an excited look in her eyes.

Kasumi took a moment to digest Helena's words before a warm smile grew on her face. She loved how exuberant Helena was being, sensing the abnormal amount of enthusiasm.

"Lady Helena… that would be most helpful." The ninja princess said with a nod.

"You can even call me "senpai", if you'd like." Helena unusually said playfully.

"Well… maybe. But let's not get carried away." Kasumi teased back. The girls shared a quick laugh at the silly exchange before Helena took a couple steps forward before extending her hand with a fist close on her chest.

"Kasumi… May I have this dance?" She said in her utmost elegant tone.

The birthday girl accepted with a bow and slowly took Helena's hand.

The girls drew closer to each other in the center of the office with Kasumi's hands on Helena's shoulders. The French blonde had hers rested on Kasumi's sides.

"Just follow my lead." Helena said.

Kasumi nodded and Helena started to move slowly. Kasumi carefully followed her lady's steps, looking down at her feet at first.

"Don't watch your feet too much. That can make missteps easier." Helena advised.

Kasumi looked up and nodded.

"Sorry." She said.

"You're doing fine, dear. Don't be too nervous." Helena said warmly.

"Make sure you don't go too fast. It's not a race to keep up with each other. Just listen to the music and move at your own pace. Your partner will do the same." Helena continued teaching.

Kasumi nodded and kept telling herself to just move naturally. A few minutes passed with music looping over from Helena's phone. The longer the duo kept dancing, the more relaxed the redhead was feeling. Kasumi looked at Helena with a smile after they kept swaying from side to side for a while.

"This… this isn't so bad." Kasumi said proudly.

"See? It's easier to not think about it too much. It's not about impressing the crowd… just having fun with your partner." Helena said with her own smile.

"You've caught on quick, Kasumi. You're on your way to being a natural." Helena praised her shinobi.

"It's thanks to you, Helena-sama… I think I want to show Momiji how to dance!" Kasumi said, a little excited to show her future wife her new moves.

Helena chuckled at the newfound confidence from Kasumi.

"I'd love to see that. You'll give her one more reason to love you." The blonde complimented.

Kasumi looked down a bit, trying to hide her face turning red.

"Just wait 'til I tell her you taught me. She'll be begging for you to teach her next." Kasumi countered.

Helena laughed a little.

"It would be my honor if she wants to ask me." She said.

The ladies continued to slow dance, at this point they were enjoying the moment and didn't want to stop. Helena brushed Kasumi's hair again, complimenting the birthday girl picking up on her dancing skills again. Kasumi beamed with pride from Helena's feedback as well as loving feeling her fingers brushing through the front of her hair.

Helena stops brushing suddenly Kasumi's hair and tips her chin. Kasumi sees a certain begging look in Helena's eyes, wondering what her lady was going to ask.

"May I? I know I shouldn't… but I can't help myself." Helena partially begged.

Kasumi smiled in return.

"Hai. I still trust you, Helena." The redhead accepted.

Helena smiled at Kasumi's answer and leaned her head down, gently kissing the birthday girl's lips. Kasumi felt Helena's glossy lips tasting her own, enjoying the small intimate moment she was sharing with the French Aristocrat. The ninja princess reaches her hands to Helena's face to help keep the French woman's head in place to further relish the Aristocrat's taste.

Helena gently breaks the kiss and sighs, loving the tasty, soft feel of Kasumi's lips one more time.

"Happy Birthday, Kasumi."

"Thank you, Lady Helena." The ninja princess says gratefully before leaning her head on Helena's chest again with her eyes close and a satisfied smile, wrapping her arms around Helena's waist once more.

The girls would continue the dance for a bit longer before Kasumi eventually helped Helena braid her hair for the upcoming party. The ginger looked forward to the night's festivities as well as seeing her friends and loved ones again. But it was moments like the private dance she shared with Helena that she felt blessed that they could be as close as they were after all they've been through over the years.