The Outsider

"I'm sorry and thank you."

Tohru first meets Kureno in passing when Akito introduces her to him as the last remaining member of the zodiac. She is curious but quickly pushes her feeling to the back of her mind, since meeting him again would mean going near Akito, something all the zodiac members warned her away from. It wasn't until Uo mentioned the man she had a crush on was also named Kureno that she decided to pursue him. It was Tohru's attempts to play matchmaker for Kureno and Uo that got his attention initially. His decision to meet with her became a turning point for the Sohma family.

Tohru had been trying to break the curse for Kyo, after realizing that as the cat he would be locked away at the age of eighteen. Kureno, existed as the only proof that the curse could be broken. By hugging Tohru, Kureno revealed that breaking the curse was not some pipe dream. It actually could be done.

Meeting Tohru gave Kureno a chance to say things he couldn't tell the other zodiac members, to explain himself. His decision to avoid Uotani Arisa stemmed from his promise to Akito which of course stemmed from his broken curse. By telling her his story he helped Tohru understand that god is not just a title given to the clan head, it is an intangible bond that all zodiac members feel. In revealing his reasons for staying by Akito's side he revealed that Akito was actually a woman, which was something known to only a few zodiac members up to that point.

Without Kureno, it is possible that Tohru would have given up hope or perhaps her attempts would have been in vein. His decision to tell her, to reveal the truth of his existence and that of his god allowed him to not only free himself but to help free the other zodiac members, and Akito as well.