Oufits - Kasumi: Brilliant Lapis

Helena: Blue-and-gold longcoat

Kasumi entered Helena's office, nervous of why the French woman wanted to have a sudden private meeting with her. The ninja princess had been on the run for breaking her shinobi code with her clan after setting off on a revenge mission. She accomplished her task, but at the risk of alienating herself from her family and clan for life. Helena was aware of this issue and decided to make a proposition for the redhead…. As well as confess her feelings to Kasumi. Kasumi was tired, but she was willing to hear Helena out, being one of the few people who wasn't hostile toward her. Anymore, at least.

Kasumi walked up to the front doors and covered her mouth to let out a small yawn, before shaking her head, then wiping her face with her hands to exhale a small breath. to stay awake before entering the office doors.

"Aaaah, Kasumi. Nice of you to show up, darling." Helena greeted, sitting behind her desk. "Hope the ride over was comfortable."

Kasumi nervously walked in and the doors slowly closed behind her. The tired ninja princess did her best to keep her polite attitude, greeting the French woman with a smile and bowed.

"It was, Helena… it's nice to see you again." Kasumi said before rising to cross her hands. The blonde smiled at Kasumi, adoring how well-mannered the kunoichi was.

"Why did you invite me?" Kasumi asked.

"Don't be nervous, dear. I wanted to meet with you and make a proposal." Helena replied kindly. Kasumi relaxed a little and stood in front of Helena's desk.

"Now, I know you've been on the run from your clan, Kasumi. I'd like to know… are you doing okay these days?" Helena asked.

"It's… been rough." Kasumi sadly admitted, lowering her head a little.

"Every day, I'm looking over my shoulder. Always running. I knew what the consequences were… but I never imagined how relentless it would be." The redhead said, putting a fist toward her chest.

"I can't imagine. You look tired, my dear. But… you hold no grudge against them, right? You still love your family?" Helena said.

Kasumi put a hand to her mouth and yawned again, then nodded.

"I don't wish to fight them… but I must keep running." She said saddened.

Helena stood up and walked toward the window.

"Love is a complicated thing, dear. It can blind those to do things that they don't think it's possible to do within their means." She said, her back to Kasumi.

Kasumi raised an eyebrow. "I… don't understand. If you're saying my love for Hayate… for Ayane… makes me weak… You're wrong."

"I didn't mean to insult you, Kasumi." Helena said, then turning around to face the ginger.

"I'm saying to not let your heart get in the way of your will to live. Sooner or later, you might have no choice to hurt the ones you hold dear."

"Helena… I've hurt too many people already." Kasumi replied. "I won't stand here and let you insult me on how I'm trying to survive!"

"Kasumi-" Helena tried saying.

Kasumi slammed her hands down on her desk with a conflicted look.

"NO! How is it wrong to not hurt the ones you love?! Even if they hate you!... What do you know about surviving, Helena?! What do you know about not being close with family?!" Kasumi yelled.

Helena looked down as she crossed her arms under her chest.

"…More than you know." She quietly uttered.

"Then, you know why I have to keep running… To keep myself from hurting the ones I still love! I'll make up with Ayane-chan and Hayate-kun somehow! With OR without your help!" Kasumi said loudly.

"I'm not here to help you with them! I'm here to help you with ME!" Helena shouted back.

The room grew silent as Kasumi was shocked at what Helena said.

"Wh…what?" Kasumi asked in disbelief.

Helena sighed, shaking her head as she felt embarrassed from her outburst. She covered her face with a hand and took a deep breath to compose herself before lowering it.

"Kasumi… the reason I called you here… is to make a deal that could help both of us." Helena said, staring at Kasumi recomposed.

"I know a place you can stay at so you don't have to keep running. A place where you can think of a way to make up with your clan in safety." She kept going.

Kasumi was confused at what Helena was getting to. The French beauty gave her a small smile and put her hand to her chest as she slightly tilted her head.

"It's with me, darling."

Kasumi was stunned. Helena wanted her to stay… with her?

"I… I don't understand…" Kasumi stuttered.

"The truth is Kasumi… I love you. I have for so long. And it hurts me to see you keep running away like you do." Helena said concerned.

Kasumi was speechless. She never thought Helena, of all people, would confess to her.

"I didn't mean to insult you before. I'm sorry if I hurt you… But please, stay with me. I want to give you the best life you deserve. A place of protection. A place you can let your hair down…" Helena walked closer to her desk.

"And a lover who will be there to embrace and comfort you every night." She said with her hand on her chest.

"But… but I have nothing to give you. I'd just cause you trouble." Kasumi worried.

"I'd bring my pursuers to you, Helena. Your life would be in danger because of me."

"Kasumi, I own plenty of locations. Places even they have no knowledge of." Helena countered.

"We'd be safe. And even if they discover us…" Helena said before leaning on her desk, her hands close to Kasumi.

"We'd face them together. To at least make peace with them. In exchange for staying with me… I'd like you to work for me. To lend me your help with my own business… and your love." Helena finished.

"Helena…" Kasumi said.

"I understand if this sounds too sudden." Helena said back, casting her eyes down to her desk.

"You're free to leave if you don't want to accept." She offered, secretly hoping Kasumi would at least consider her proposal.

Kasumi stood there and thought… She'd never had a home offered to her like that before. She knew Helena would be in danger if Kasumi's clan found them… but Helena isn't a stranger to their skills. They have fought a few times before, even the two girls had come to blows in the past. Plus, Helena was a woman of power, wealth and influence. If anyone had connections to keep them safe, it would be her. Plus, the Aristocrat was friendly and compassionate to those who were less fortunate these days.

Kasumi felt something in her heart for the first time she didn't feel in years… safety. The idea of staying with Helena felt… right. She knew Helena could be strict, but she also had a generous and gentle soul. Helena was professional yet caring. Kasumi made up her mind and gave her answer.

"Helena…" Kasumi began, getting Helena's attention. The French blonde looked up at the redhead, who wore a lovely smile.

"I… I accept! I would be honored to work for you!" Kasumi said proudly.

"You do?!" Helena said with excitement.

"Hai! Your offer sounds too good to pass up. Besides…" Kasumi said before blushing a little. The image before Helena made her heart skip a beat at the sight of the cute ninja girl looking embarrassed.

"I always found you beautiful. And kind. And caring. Helena… you're the perfect woman to me." Kasumi confessed.

Helena looked bashful at Kasumi's confession.

"Kasumi… you mean?" Said a slightly embarrassed Helena.

"Hai!" Kasumi said excitedly. "I've had feelings for you for a while… But I thought you were too good for me… for anyone, to be honest." She admitted.

"Well, you're wrong. I had to keep my image up… but I have longed to be in someone's care sometimes." The French woman said.

Kasumi giggled. "The great Helena? She admits to wanting to be with someone?" The ninja princess teased.

"Hey, this job gets stressful, darling! It would be nice to have help once in a while." Helena defended.

The two laughed at the exchange, then settled down to look into each other's beautiful eyes.

"Well, I guess that settles it, then." Kasumi said.

"…Not quite. We have to seal it somehow." Helena teased.

"How so?" Kasumi asked.

Helena started leaning in slowly with her eyes closed and Kasumi gasped softly at the advance. She was shy about it… but something made her lean in, eyes closed too. The two girls continued leaning slowly… and shared a loving kiss over the table. Their hearts fluttered at the taste of their partner's soft, glossy lips. They kept the kiss going for almost a full minute before pulling away slowly. They both smiled at their deal-sealing kiss, excited for what this next chapter awaited them.

Helena pulled back to stand up straight and beckoned her new errand girl over. Kasumi, smiling, walked around the desk and went into Helena's outstretched arms for a loving hug.

"Welcome home, Kasumi." Helena said quietly. Kasumi sighed in the French woman's arms as she felt safe for the first time in so long.

Some time later, Helena held Kasumi, loose from her ponytail now and held the ribbon in her hands, from behind while the two girls watched through the window at the beautiful blue sky. The ginger sighed happily, loving this warm feeling of safety in another's arms.

"I'm so happy you accepted, dear." Helena said gratefully. She brushed the kunoichi's hair aside and kissed Kasumi's neck. The redhead smiled, continuing to look at their faint reflection.

"Lady Helena… You're too good to me. I can't tell you how happy I feel." Kasumi said. She leaned back into Helena's body, feeling the blonde's breasts press on her back while she leaned her head on Helena's shoulder.

"This is safest I've felt since leaving my home. I've never felt so much happiness in my heart." She said.

Helena smiled and kissed Kasumi's cheek.

"As long as you stay with me… I'll never let anyone hurt you, my dear cherry blossom. We'll find a way to make things right with your village." Helena said strongly.

"But for now…" She said before hugging Kasumi a little tighter.

"Just relax, dear. You must be exhausted."

Kasumi yawned a little again and closed her eyes, taking in Helena's warmth and feeling the French woman nuzzle her nose in her neck, leaving small kisses on her neck and cheek.

"I love you, Helena. Thank you for saving me." Kasumi said quietly.

"The honor is all mine, Kasumi… I love you, too." Helena replied, putting her chin on Kasumi's shoulder.

"Don't worry about falling asleep… I'll be by your side as much as I can." The elegant woman said soothingly.

"I have a bed in the next room… You probably forgot what it felt like to sleep in one."

"Lady Helena?" Kasumi said sleepily.

Helena chuckled at her adorable companion and started quietly humming a lullaby. Kasumi felt herself drifting off into her personal slumberland slowly.

"Helena…" The redhead said quietly.

"H… el …ena…" She repeated, falling asleep in the French blonde's arms as her head slunk closer to Helena's shoulder.

Helena smiled at the sleeping redhead in her arms. She thought Kasumi was the most precious creature she ever laid eyes on. Kasumi turned to her side in Helena's arms, putting a hand on the French woman's shoulder.

Helena took Kasumi's wrist and placed a soft, gentle kiss on it followed up one last peck on Kasumi's soft hair. The French goddess continued to hold her new lover for a few more minutes while swaying slowly, fantasizing how their future days as a couple would go.

When she felt content, Helena lifted the sleeping kunoichi onto her back. Kasumi instinctively wrapped her arms loosely around Helena's neck and rested her head on Helena's shoulder.

"Sweet dreams, Kasumi… You've earned this." The elegant blonde said to herself. She knew she had more business to take care of, but didn't want to leave the precious redhead alone. Plus, she was feeling a little tired herself.

"Hmmm… maybe a small nap with you wouldn't hurt." She quietly said again.

Helena carried Kasumi to their bedroom, where she spent a couple hours cuddling her new girlfriend, never leaving her side. The business woman eventually fell asleep holding her new lover. After she woke up, Helena still couldn't bring herself to leave the fragile ninja princess alone. So, she spooned Kasumi for a bit before stroking the redhead's beautiful, smooth hair while laying the ginger's head on her lap. Helena earned some adorable mews and sighs from the sleeping kunoichi, warming her heart seeing the content young girl at peace in her slumber with a beautiful smile on her resting face.

It would be the best good night's sleep Kasumi had in a long time.