Fruits Basket 25

Tohru has fled into the forest after seeing Kyo's transformation. After falling, she leans herself against a tree and vomits. Akito shows up and begins taunting her. Shigure appears and actually seems to be warning Akito off. Akito leaves, and Shigure apologizes to Tohru. She gets up and walks away without saying anything.

We are shown that Kazuma's grandfather was the previous Sohma cursed by the Cat. He was locked away by his family and shunned. As Kazuma grew older he felt shame for how his grandfather was treated. He resolved to help the next Sohma to be cursed by the Cat. He found Kyo as a boy and practically adopted him. He took him away from the people who tormented him for his curse, and raised him at his dojo.

Back at the Sohma house, Kagura asks Yuki if he will go after Kyo. Yuki replies that he and Kyo hate each other. This is the way it has always been and always will be. He turns the question back at her. Kagura replies that, as one of the Zodiac herself, she can never give Kyo what he needs. The only person who can is Tohru. Only an outsider can help him. Upon hearing this Yuki runs out.

Meanwhile, Uotani has been called out to the graveyard by Hanajima. Hanajima has been drawn there by "vibes." They find Tohru slumped across her mother's grave. Uotani attempts to comfort Tohru, but Hanajima tells her to stop. Hanajima tells Tohru that she knows where she needs to be. Uotani again tries to comfort Tohru, but Hanajima physically prevents her. At this point Uotani is furious. She doesn't understand why she can't comfort Tohru. Hanajima tells her that they are there to make sure Tohru does what only she can do. They cannot help her do what she must, they can only encourage her to do it. Uotani tries again to go to Tohru and Hanajima physically tackles her to prevent her from reaching Tohru. Tohru finally gets up and walks away. Once she is gone Hanajima falls to her knees and bursts into tears.

This scene was heartbreaking. There was so much emotion here. The determination and fury of Uotani was frightening. She could not understand why Hanajima would not let her comfort her friend. The person who always comforted others, and always had a way of making someone's troubles seem less. And Uotani was being prevented from doing the same for Tohru. Hanajima's breakdown afterward showed just how difficult it was for her to do what she did. She wanted to comfort Tohru as much as Uotani did. And Tohru just lying there, motionless, through it all. The most potent scene in the entire series so far. Even more heartbreaking than Momiji's story.

Not much in the preview for next episode. I can only assume Tohru brings Kyo back to the house. I'm not sure if there will be a confrontation with Akito or not. The anime probably only follows up to a certain point in the manga. It looks like there will be many questions left unanswered. That's too bad.