(A/N: I know this took a while. It's because I had midterms and they took up all my time. So please forgive me for the delay. This chapter is both sweet and sad at the same time. Hope you like it.)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 11: Tale As Old As Time

Kyoko was having the time of her life. It had been over a year since she had taken up her position as the leader of the Suicide Squad. And this time Motoko's gang wasn't around to cause trouble. Several months ago, they had finally been arrested after arriving in town, screaming some nonsense about a monster. The police didn't know what to make of their insane story, but they were glad to finally have Motoko and her ruthless biker gang behind bars.

Although life was good, Kyoko couldn't help but feel like something was missing, as if she had forgotten something important. Her thoughts turned to what Arisa had said about her having a daughter. It was strange, Akito had said the same thing, but she had no daughter. She didn't remember anything Arisa and her gang said about this girl named Tohru. She remembered her husband, but the two of them had never had any children.

As she continued to deny having a daughter, her friends had eventually stopped mentioning her. Now they were on the road again, just like old times. But something was still missing. What was it? What was it?

"Kyoko, look out!" Arisa screamed.

Kyoko blinked. While her mind had been wandering, she hadn't been focused on where she was going. Her bike was heading right for an oncoming car.

Eyes wide, Kyoko turned her bike, just missing being hit. As the driver shouted angrily for her to watch where she was going, she lost control of her bike and crashed. She ended up being thrown from her bike, hitting her head.

And that's when it came back to her. Tohru. Her cute, darling, daughter Tohru. She was real. She did have a daughter. But how and why had she forgotten her? How could she have forgotten her?

The beast. That's right. She had been captured by that hideous beast. Tohru had traded herself for her freedom. And the beast had made that seahorse erase her memories.

That was over a year ago! Her daughter had been with that horrible monster all this time.

Tears flowed down Kyoko's cheeks. "Tohru, oh my baby. How could I have forgotten?"

Ignoring her painful injuries, she climbed to her feet and limped over to her bike. She had to go, now! Right now, back to the Sohma estate. She would not let her daughter spend another day there.

"Kyoko!" Arisa cried, riding up to her. "Are you ok? That was a nasty crash."

"I'm fine." Kyoko muttered, wincing in pain.

"The hell you are! We're taking you to a hospital right now."

Kyoko shook her head. "No time. I have to save Tohru."

Arisa's eyes widened. "You remember her?"

Kyoko nodded. "I can't believe I forgot. She's in trouble, I have to save her."

Arisa nodded. "Then we're going to help. Right, everyone?"

"Yeah!" cried the other members of the Suicide Squad.

Kyoko felt great appreciation for her friends, but she was not going to involve them in this. She didn't want to endanger them. This would be between her and the beast.

"No, you guys stay away. This is something I have to do alone. I'm not involving anyone else."

"Nonsense!" Arisa cried. "We're family, and we help, our family."

Kyoko shook her head. "Not this time. This time it's all me."

But Arisa wasn't backing down. "We're coming, whether you like it or not."

Kyoko gave Arisa her famous Suicide Stare. It was a look of challenge that no one ever dared to go against. It was the reason why she was leader. If she was dead serious about something and would not be swayed, her Suicide Stare let others know it. And that is what she was doing.

"Stay away." she said quietly. "I'm doing this on my own." She climbed onto her bike. "But there is something you can do for me… Take care of Tohru."

Without giving an explanation, she rode off. She knew she had hurt her friends, but she had to. She would not let them fall prey to the beast. She would go there and trade herself for her daughter, and not take no for an answer. Even if it meant her death.

'Hold on, Tohru, Mommy's coming.'

(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)-(-)

Over the next few days, the Sohmas made the preparations. It was kept a secret from Tohru and Kyo the entire time. They were cutting it close. Kyo's 18th birthday was coming up soon. Once the clock reached midnight, it would be too late. Kyo would completely lose his humanity and the curse would remain with them for all time. If this plan didn't work, then they most likely wouldn't be able to break the curse.

They 'kidnapped' Kyo and Tohru while they were on their way to dinner, and quickly got them ready for the surprise. When Kyo found out what they were up to, he was indeed angry at first, but soon worry replaced his anger.

"I'm not sure I can do this." he grumbled.

"You're running out of time." Yuki told him. "Unless you want to lose your mind, and her, forever, you've got to do it."

Haru poured another galleon of cologne on Kyo. It didn't hide his horrid scent, but it did mix with it, somewhat helping. "If you love her, you have to tell her. For both of your sakes."

Kyo cut his eyes at him. "And just how long was it before you and Rin finally worked things out?"

Haru sweat-dropped. "We had all the time in the world. You only have a few days left. It's time to make your move. You have to confess your love."

The door opened and Shigure stuck his head in. "Miss Honda is ready and waiting. Just wait until you see what Ayame has done."

Yuki sighed, "Knowing my brother, I'm almost afraid to see it."

But there was nothing to worry about. Ayame had done his job nicely. Tohru looked absolutely stunning in her new dress. Kyo blushed when he saw her, feeling butterflies in his stomach. She was so beautiful. And he loved her so much. Oh, how he loved her. She was an angel, a goddess. And him, he was a monster, a freak. How could this possible work out? She was beauty and he was a beast. A tale as old as time.

But when she approached him and he looked into her eyes, none of that mattered. All that mattered was that they were here, and they were together. Nothing else mattered. Kyo felt that he could die happily at that moment with no regrets.

The night went on without a hitch. Everything was perfect. Absolutely perfect. The Sohmas were doing a silent celebration, confident that their plan had worked. And when Tohru and Kyo disappeared to be alone together, they shouted their victory to the sky.

All alone now, Kyo and Tohru sat down together, enjoying each other's company. If there was ever a time to confess, it would be now. But Kyo was scared, more scared than he had ever been in his entire life. Not because this was the moment that would decide if he would remain a beast or not, but because he would find out Tohru's feelings towards him. He could live with being a monster, but he couldn't live without her, of that he was certain.

"Tohru…" he said gently, "are you happy here with me?"

She gave him a smile that melted his heart. "Of course I am."

Kyo's hearts soared. But then he noticed a brief sadness and longing appear in her beautiful blue eyes. No, that simply wouldn't do. She deserved to be happy all the time; to have everything her precious heart desired.

"What's wrong, Tohru?"

"Huh?" She immediately began her rapid talking. "Oh, no, no, no! Everything's fine! I'm really happy right now! I couldn't ask for anything else! I'm-"

"Tohru." He growled lightly. As cute as it was when she got nervous and talked fast, he wanted her to have everything. "Something's bothering you. Please tell me."

Tohru sighed, her eyes downcast. "I'm just worried about Mom. I miss her so much. I just wish I knew that she was ok. I'll be satisfied as long as I know she's alright."

Kyo frowned. Of course it was her mother. How could he have been so stupid? He knew from personal experience that nothing could ever replace a mother's love. But Kyoko had forgotten she even had a daughter. What could he do to make this better?

Then he was struck with an idea. "Wait here." He hurried away, calling for his cousin. "Hey, Yuki!"

The rat came running in. "Yes, what's wrong?"

"I want you to do something for me."

He whispered his request to the rat. Yuki nodded and hurried off. Smiling, Kyo returned to Tohru. She gave him a curious look when he arrived.

"What was that?"

He shook his head. "You'll see."

They spent some more time dancing and talking. Kyo didn't confess his feelings, knowing the moment had passed. But he still intended to. He just had to wait for the right time.

It was about an hour later that Yuki returned, his eyes sad. "I'm back."

Kyo looked down at him. "Well, what did they say?"

Tohru blinked. "What did who say?"

"I asked Yuki to contact the other rats in the woods." Kyo explained. "He can get information from them from your town and even the next one over. I asked him to ask about your mother."

Tohru's eyes widened. She picked Yuki up, giving him a pleading look. "How's she doing? Is she ok?"

Yuki cast Kyo a worried look. The beast nodded and Yuki sighed. "She's somehow remembered everything just recently."

"What?" Tohru and Kyo gasped.

Yuki nodded. "There was an accident. She crashed her bike and hit her head. She remembers everything, and she's looking for you."

"For me?" Tohru asked. "But you said she was in an accident. Is she all right? Please, Yuki, tell me the truth. Whatever it is, I can take it."

Yuki winced, but told her what his rat friends had told him. "She shouldn't be traveling in her condition. She needs to rest and recover, but she won't stop."

Tears appeared in Tohru's eyes. She set Yuki down and watched as he left the room. She looked back at Kyo, crying silently.

"Mom, what do I do? She might be dying. And she won't go back. What if she hurts herself more? What if she dies? Oh, Mom, no! Mom, please go back!"

Kyo felt his heart break as he watched Tohru cry. This was his fault. He was responsible for her pain. No, he couldn't stand to see her suffer. He had to right his wrong. He knew the consequences of it, but he didn't care. If it was for Tohru, he didn't care. Slowly he approached Tohru resting his large hands on her shoulders.

"Go to her." he said quietly.

Tohru was so surprised that she stopped crying. "What?"

"Go to her." Kyo repeated. "You're free now. You may go and do as you wish. Go, save your mother."

More tears began running down Tohru's cheeks, but this time for a different reason. "You mean, I'm… I'm free?"

It was painful. He couldn't bear to look at her or else he might lose his resolve. "Yes. Now go help your mother. Hurry!"

He felt her rest a hand on his cheek. "Thank you, Kyo. Thank you so much."

She turned to leave, but Kyo suddenly grabbed her arm. "Wait." He took something off his wrist and handed it to her. "Take this with you to remember me by."

Tohru gasped. It was the bracelet that Kyo's mother had given her, long since fixed. "K-Kyo, I can't take this! Your mother gave it to you!"

"And now I'm giving it to you." He placed it in her hand. "I want you to have it. Please, Tohru, take it."

More tears flowed down her cheeks. "Thank you, Kyo. I will treasure it always."

She leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she was gone. Kyo turned away from the door, trying desperately to stop himself from going after her. It wasn't easy. This was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

"Kyo?" It was Yuki. He had seen Tohru rush by him and became worried. "Is everything ok? What happened?"

With a sob, Kyo fell to his knees. "She's gone. I let her go."

Yuki gasped. "You… but you… what? Why? How could you do that?"

Tears leaked from Kyo's eyes, but he didn't care, nor did he bother to hide them. "Because I love her. I love her more than anything."

Yuki was silent for a moment. "What about the curse?"

Kyo shook his head. "It's over now. It's all over. There's no hope."

(A/N: Tohru has gone to help her mother while Kyo has accepted his fate. And just so you know, Tohru doesn't know about the deadline of the curse. That information was kept from her. What's going to happen next? Wait and see.)