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

Tohru insisted on inviting their new friends back to Shigure's place for some because she felt it was the very least she could do to repay them for saving Tohru and relieving Kyo from his curse. The awkwardness between Kyo and Tohru was almost palpable even for their newfound friends. It was also clear that a whole conversation needed to happen between Shigure, Yuki, and Kyo but with strangers in the midst there was no way anyone could broach these subject freely. One person that had no problem speaking freely was Usagi.

"Tohru, this somen is amazing! Wow, it rivals Mako-chan's. Mamo would love it. Mamo-Chan - that's my boyfriend, he's in his last year of studies in America. He's finally graduating this year, with honors I might add. He might even be a salutatorian. Is that what it's called? You know since he didn't get a chance to finish school after the battle with Galaxia and all that trouble but I'm so glad that's over and ..."

"Kitten!" Haruka chimed in loudly, arms crossed closing her eyes nodding side to side. "We barely know these people ... we shouldn't be sharing the details of our existence with them."

Usagi's usually bubbly smile faded away replaced by a stern expression and eyes worn only by alter ego, Neo Queen Serenity. Usagi was 20 now, only two years time until she would ascend the throne and become the ruler of Crystal Tokyo. As that time grew closer Usagi and Neo Queen Serenity's consciousness began to merge and as a result the queen's mental visits were becoming more frequent. Usagi's casual attire faded away leaving her wearing her beautiful floor length off the shoulder gown with gold trim.

"I will share whatever I wish with these people, Uranus. And YOU will remember your place," said Neo Queen Serenity eyes seething, the only expression to scare Haruka even above any enemy out there.

"My queen!" said Michiru and Haruka immediately kneeling before her.

Serenity's eyes softened. "Please stand my guardians. I didn't mean to be so bold, but these people — they are special and I can see they have kind hearts. I think I can help ... break their curse... with the help of Miss Honda over there."

Tohru knelt before Serenity. "No no no. It won't do to have a queen, a woman of your stature and grace to address me so formally. Please call me Tohru."

Kyo and Yuki were speechless at the sight of Neo Queen Serenity. They looked to Shigure, their elder, urging him to speak.

Seeing what the boys expected, Shigure attempted to compose himself before speaking next.

"Your ... majesty, may we humbly ask how you've come to know about the Sohma curse? We've never known anyone outside of the Sohma family, except our Tohru here, that's known about us before."

Serenity's piercing eyes stared at Shigure. "I knew the moment I saw your Kyo over there today, well actually that's not entirely accurate. I knew the moment AFTER I used my healing spell that he was no ordinary youma. But Shigure, I know you must feel something else too. Akito is angry and knows Kyo's curse has been broken. We must act quickly."

Shigure nodded, closing his eyes. "I was afraid of that."

Kyo's eyes went wide. "What do you mean Akito knows, if that's true - then why are we just standing around? People could get hurt. Shigure- we have to do something."

Yuki's eyes remained low, his voice but a whisper. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with the stupid cat. If Akito knows, then none of us are safe, especially Miss Honda."

"Yes, I can feel her rage. It's growing. Tohru and I must go to see her — alone," replied Serenity.

"Her?," questioned Kyo. Shigure just nodded while Yuki and Kyo stared at him in disbelief.

"Another thing I probably should have mentioned earlier," said Shigure.

"No disrespect, but there's no way I'm sending Tohru over there unprotected. She's my.. uh... it's just she's very important to all of us and I don't want anything to happen to her," said Kyo.

Haruka gently touched Kyo's shoulder. "Trust me, I understand your feelings more than anyone. I can't begin to count the number of times our princess has gone into battle alone and I've worried over her. She can be a klutz and a crybaby - but she has a heart of gold and the strongest character I've ever known. I see those qualities in your Tohru as well. If anyone can do this they can. Besides, our queen is sort of all powerful."

Serenity nodded. Her eyes began to water. "Please, we must go now. If we wait much longer... I'm afraid I may not even be able to prevent the suffering to come."

"Why does it seem like she knows the future?," asked Yuki.

"Well, in this form she is known as Neo-Queen Serenity, future Queen of Crystal Tokyo, so she's technically from the future. And we kind of know a time guardian," answered Haruka.

"That's not confusing at all," commented Kyo.

"I'll be going leaving you now," said Neo Queen Serenity. "Tohru — Usagi will join you. As Usagi and I become closer to the years of my reign our consciousnesses have started to to merge. I can more easily come out and she and I can communicate more than we ever have before. She knows what is going on. Also, Akito will be much more responsive to you two than she would to me, at least initially."

Kyo grabbed Tohru's hands. "Tohru, you don't have to do this."

"Yes I do," she said pulling him into a hug, gasping still in awe that the hug kept him human. "Because I love you, with all my heart. I've wanted to tell you for so long…."

Kyo pulled away a little, "I … don't deserve that love… you don't know what I've done… I.."

Tohru just smiled. "Shh… you don't have to say anything now. I also love the rest of the Sohmas, and if I can help free them, I have to try... you understand, don't you Kyo?"

"Of course I do," he replied touching his forehead to hers. "Just come back to me ok? I don't know what I'd do without you around."

Usagi grabbed Tohru's hand. "Don't worry - I'll take care of her ... we are like two bees in a pond. Right Tohru?"

"That's what I've always said too," Tohru replied proudly, "Let's go!"

Yuki muttered, "So much so that they both get that analogy wrong... "

"Tell me about it, " said Kyo.

"Princess," said Michiru. "We will stay close by... if you need us just call us on your communicator ok? "

"We'll be fine" said Usagi nodding. "Ooh maybe after this we can all go for some ice cream. Haruka's buying… she's loaded you know. She and Michiru are famous!"

Usagi grabbed Tohru's arm and talked her ear off about her two comrades in arms all the way down the walk to the Sohma Estate.