Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Fruits Basket

Kyo couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was his fault. His darn body that randomly "cat napped" from time to time had overslept and was late picking up Tohru from work. Not like he did it everyday, but this time of year it was getting dark earlier and he worried for her safety. Tohru walking home by herself always left him feeling like rocks were twisting around his insides and today his worst fears had become a reality. In a clearing about halfway between their home and work stood Tohru with a tall, broadly built man who held her by the wrist and had unbuttoned her blouse. He was holding her face getting ready to plant a nasty kiss on her lips when Kyo intervened.

"Hey you psycho, you can't touch a girl like that without her permission," said Kyo, quickly pulling Tohru to safety and jabbing and kicking her attacker in the face.

The man grabbed his nose which was bloodied and stumbled to a run. "You broke my nose, kid… you'll be sorry."

Tohru fell to her knees frantically buttoning up her blouse.

"Hey… you ok? Did he hurt you?," asked Kyo.

"No, I'm fine. I'm not hurt. I'm so embarrassed," replied Tohru. She lifted tear-filled eyes up at Kyo. She was forcing a smile. "Thank you, Kyo-kun. For saving me. You're always there for me."

Her expression tugged at Kyo's heart. He knelt before her grabbing her hand bowing his head. No, I was too late again … once more. "I wish I'd been here sooner so that grubby guy didn't have the chance to get his hands on you."

"You came just in time, really. I'm just fine," Tohru's smile changed then. "Kyo-kun, I've been trying to work up the courage to ask you something. I was planning to do it tomorrow morning but now feels like a good time because I feel so connected to you in this very moment. Um.. Kyo… are you in love with me?"

Kyo was shocked. Of course, I am but how can I tell you that, I don't deserve a love like you… you don't know what I did…

"There he is right there… I said you'd be sorry. Try all those kung fu move of yours with all five of my friends here and see what a tough guy you are now."

The attacker had returned and sure enough he'd brought back five of his friends. They were all much larger in build than Kyo. Even with his fighting skills they were clearly outmatched.

"C'mon let's go," said Kyo, grabbing Tohru up easily. "Run… run away."

"No, I won't leave you… come with me, Kyo," said Tohru.

"Alright, let's get behind those trees over there… I have an idea," said Kyo.

"Come on back out here boy… coward … you were such a big shot before!," shouted Tohru's attacker.

Once they were safely behind the trees Kyo shared his plan with Tohru.

"He's right… I can't fight all of them, not all at once… we can try to outrun them but I'm not sure we'd make it. The only sure thing is this," said Kyo pointing at his beads.

"We pretend we were attacked and that my monster form got me… then you scream… I'll transform and jump into the clearing… that should buy us time and scare them off. It's getting dark out… the trees provide plenty of cover, hopefully they won't know what they saw… if they go crying wolf there's plenty of critters out here that the authorities wouldn't think the wiser."

"Great plan… you are so smart, Kyo," said Tohru.

"Let's not waste time…" said Kyo quietly.

"Tohru, LOOK OUT!" yelled Kyo. "What is that… a wolf, get away from her! AHHHHH!"

"NO! NO! NO! Not Kyo, please!," yelled Tohru playing along.

Kyo handed his beads to Tohru for safekeeping. She placed them in her pocket while the transformation process began. She ran out into the clearing.

The six men stared back wide eyed.

"Where's the kid?," asked one of them.

"He's…," mumbled Tohru though tears that at this point were real. "Gone… it got him…"

Kyo let out a deep growl wrestling the tree limbs with his long monster limbs before slowly emerging out into the clearing.

"Oh no," said Tohru. "It's coming… please… protect me!," pleading with the men.

Most of the men ran away screaming at this point. Her original attacker pushed Tohru forward.

"Take her…she's all yours," he said before turning and running away with the others.

Tohru stared back at Kyo in his monster form. Even as different as he looked in that form she could still see a gentle look in his eyes. She stared deep into them.

"Let's go back behind the trees and wait for you to de-transform and head back home," said Tohru, "Great plan Kyo, worked like a charm. Wait til we tell Shigure and Yuki about this. They'll be so impressed!"

—-

"Haruka… how much longer is this hike? I mean, I know I agreed to tagalong but this is not nearly as fun as going to the beach," asked Usagi.

"Not much longer, Ktten. This area has beautiful cliffs with amazing views. There's a viewpoint nearby. The wind up there is amazing. It's close by, promise. We kinda got a late start though. I hope there's still light up there."

"Sorry for that, Haruka. I didn't have any hiking boots. I had to borrow some from Rei and I kinda had to barter with her. Why's she always gotta be so mean! It's not like I could've just worn my flip flops and bathing suit, you know."

Michiru giggled. "I prefer the beach too, Princess. The ocean is much more my speed."

Usagi giggled too. "Michiru, when will you ever stop calling me Princess? You know you can just call me Usagi."

Michiru was taken aback. "I've never given that much thought I guess. I've always been this formal… but I'll try… Usagi."

Just then six mean came running past them. One of them addressed the girls.

"Turn back, girls, turn back. There's some kind of wild animal up that way. It looked unnatural. It got that kid. The girl's probably a goner too!," said one of the men before continuing on at breakneck speed.

"There's people in danger up there? Michiru, Usagi - let's transform and check it out," said Haruka, "Ooh I hope it's a youma! It's been so long and I could use a good fight.

"Hai. Moon Eternal, makeup!"

"Uranus, Crystal Power, makeup"

"Neptune, Crystal Power makeup."

All three girls ran in the direction the man had told them to avoid with Haruka out in front. They came to a clearing but nothing was there.

Sailor Uranus held back Sailor Nepture and Sailor Moon.

"Sh… listen …" said Uranus. She closed her eyes taking in the sounds to the quiet breeze. "The wind knows all… the creature is over… THERE!"

Uranus ran towards the suspected hiding spot and sure enough a hideous creature was standing protectively in front of a teenaged girl.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!," yelled the creature flinging its arm sending Sailor Uranus flying.

"Deep Submerge!" A wall of water came barreling forth towards the creature this time sending it flying straight into a a tree. The creature slid down landing in a heap. It tried getting up again but was unable.

"Kyo-Kun!," cried the teenage girl running in front of the creature and holding her arms out to the sides in an effort to shield it from more attacks. "Please, stop. This creature… this is Kyo, and he's human! He means you no harm, I promise you. We just need to wait a little longer and he'll be back to normal! You'll see."

All three sailor scouts paused then. They looked towards Sailor Moon. She'd fought many youma and daimons in the past who had been possesed. She knew just what to do.

Sailor Moon stepped forward raising her mood rod. "I can fix this. Don't worry, I won't hurt him," she said gesturing to Tohru.

"Silver Moon, Crystal Power Kiss."

A glowing silver light cascaded from Sailor Moon's rod enveloping Kyo's true form. It glowed brighter and brighter until a human teenaged boy with a carrot top with just his pants stood in its place.

"Kyo-kun, you're back," shouted Tohru joyfully.

Kyo stared at his hands flipping them over and over. "What did you… do? I'm human. But I'm not wearing my beads. How is this possible?"

"Because I'm Sailor Moon, Guardian of love and justice… and freed you!"

Tohru jumped up and down excitedly. "Do you know what this means, Kyo? It means I can hug you. Ooh I've gotta try it.."

Tohru threw herself at Kyo knocking him off his feet. They landed in a heap on the ground. "Whoa, careful there… a little more warning next time would be nice," said Kyo blushing

"Kyo, you're still human," said Tohru.

"I…." Kyo looked around confused a second time. "You're right… I'm not a cat, I'm human… I'm free.

Tears filled Kyo's eyes. He stood and walked away from the group not wanting them to see. "I gotta find my shirt… what's left of it… but thanks…