Confabulation. (A Skip Beat! Fanfic)

Holding Love.

"Kyoko. That's what it's like." she was trying to pick her words carefully

"What what's like?" but Kyoko was making it difficult and there was no other way to put it so Kanae spoke truthfully.

"That's what it's like. To be in Love, Kyoko." Kyoko sat rigid for a moment and Kanae was worried she was going to throw open the door and flee, but she didn't she sat there silently held slightly by her best friend who herself was holding her breath.

"It feels different." Kyoko whispered half to herself as she rubbed her chest above where her heart was quickening at the thought of what Kanae had just told her, Kanae took her words in controlling her sudden rush of hope that Kyoko was ready for this.

"Everyone is different Kyoko, so ever love is different. There are things that may sometimes feel like love, need, lust, admiration. There are so many different feelings that can be mistaken for love when really its something less complicated, something we are mistaking for the real thing." Kanae sat back into her chair allowing Kyoko space to take in the things she was saying.

"So do you think I never really loved Sho?" Kanae bit her lower lip a little worried, but she knew she had to answer honestly.

"No Kyoko I do not think you were in love with Sho, not in that way anyway. I think it was more for fulfilling a need or family love. Don't get me wrong it would still hurt as much, it would still hurt your heart, but at the same time I don't think it would ever have given you the same feelings and emotions that Kuon's love for you and yours for him would be able to give you, is giving you." Kanae felt like she was babbling. This wasn't her area of expertise, but she knew Kyoko needed her since there wasn't anyone else Kyoko could talk to in this situation. So Kanae was doing her best.

"Oh." was all Kyoko replied as she looked down at her hands in her lap. Her eyes closed as she took deep calming breaths.

"Is this a good thing Moko?" this question was not something Kanae had been expecting, but the answer was out of her mouth before she had really thought about it.

"Yes Kyoko, this is a very good thing." Kyoko nodded and Kanae, putting her seat belt back on, signalled her way back out into the traffic, Kyoko needed time to think and the journey to the mall they were visiting today offered her that time.

Kanae never mentioned her feelings for Kuon again, but they talked a lot about Rosa. Kanae was happy to see Kyoko had a twinkle in her eyes as she spoke about the child and how much she enjoyed picking out the clothes for her 'daughter.' Kanae could already see Kyoko had accepted the child and after what Kyoko told her, she realised this was Kuon's doing.

"Oh this is so cute." Kyoko said holding up a small fluffy coat decorated with Minnie Mouse. Kanae smiled and agreed, and if she too was honest with herself she was a little excited too. She just hoped that when Rosa was actually here and not just a thought that Kyoko's bravery would continue. Still, in the same breath in the perfect world Kuon had built in his mind which Kyoko was now so much a part of they were creating their own and in Kyoko's secret heart, Kanae knew that love would find a way. As long as Kuon was beside her they would be OK.

When Kyoko and Kanae returned Kuon met them at the door. Kanae watched the feelings glowing in Kyoko's eyes as she embraced Kuon asking how his day had been and he asked if theirs had been a nice day.

'There's my girl, just accept it don't question it.' Kanae thought as she watched the two connect in ways she once would have been jealous of Kuon for.

Now she knew she would always have a special place in Kyoko's heart it was just a different place from Kuon's place. She looked up to the kitchen door that had swung open straight ahead of her. Kanae's heart flipped a little as Yashiro smiled at her, maybe she should follow her own words a little. She walked forwards, then wrapping her arms around the shocked Yashiro she kissed his cheek. She felt a shiver run through her as goosebumps rose on her arms and she was happy to note, Yashiro's hair stood on end. 'Yes following one's own advice is a good thing.' she thought as she pulled away from Yashiro with a smile he had never seen before, but it made him smile back down at her. Kuon and Kyoko shared a knowing smile.