Fruits Basket 24

A mysterious stranger observes a scene between Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki. Kyo is not feeling well due to the rainy weather. Tohru offers to have him walk under her umbrella, but Kyo would never do anything so unmanly. As they walk away, Kyo seems content, if not happy. The stranger remarks on Kyo's expression, then reports back to Akito. Apparently, those possessed by the Cat have an additional physical form. From the discussion between Akito and the stranger, this form is not as pleasing as Kyo's cat form. Akito predicts that once Tohru has seen this form she will leave the Sohma house. This plan will also have the beneficial side effect of tormenting Yuki.

Back at the house, Kagura has come to visit. Shigure sends Kyo and Kagura out on a date (to do the shopping for dinner), and then does the same for Tohru and Yuki (who go to the "secret base." I really enjoy the interaction between Kyo and Kagura. She always tries the lovey-dovey approach with Kyo first, no matter how doomed to failure it is. Then the violent followup. Their trip to the market shows how much Kyo has changed. He's actually kind to Kagura. Well, as much as Kyo is able to be kind. He even relents to walking home with her holding hands, as she remembers a time when he was the one asking to hold hands.

When everyone returns home, the mysterious stranger is there. He turns out to be Kazuma Sohma, the Sohma martial arts trainer. (Not a zodiac member as I speculated last episode.) He is also the Master that Kyo trained with in the mountains. During their private reunion Kyo asks if he will be able to come and live with Kazuma now, as was promised him when they last saw each other. Kazuma declines, and says that Kyo can remain living in the house as he is now. Kyo protests, and insists that he hates living in the house, but Kazuma realizes the truth.

Kazuma arranges for a meeting between himself, Kyo, and Tohru. The other two have no idea what he has planned, but from the looks on Shigure, Yuki, and Kagura's faces, everyone else does. It is a testament to how much control Akito has, that the three of them do nothing to interfere, even though they obviously know that something terrible is about to happen.

When everyone is in place, Kazuma strips away Kyo's beaded bracelet, and he is transformed into his other form. Once Kyo realizes that Tohru has seen him, he flees into the forest. Tohru, horrified, runs away.

Not much in this episode other than setup for the climax. The preview for next episode doesn't really give any information.