--Snail's Pace--

Thus by chance should I stumble upon a way to find you

Chapter One

Tohru stepped down onto the pave walk, crossing the road towards her University. She was already late for class and they were having auditions today for the major and minor leading roles for the end of semester performance. She had chosen a three year course in Drama, hoping that eventually she would be able to rise through the ranks and participate in directing and filming, which was what she really wanted to do with her time. In order to achieve that, one had to be on time and up to date with where she was supposed to be and what script she was supposed to be reading. She felt somewhat like a failure since she was running late, but surely the instructor would understand. Her car had been stolen and she'd needed to bus her way to the Uni.

The University looked a lot like a prison, just one that was beautifully decorated by trees and open grasses around it. At this particular moment no one should have been sitting on the fields but Tohru was surprised to see a young man, about her age or a little bit older, sitting beneath one of the mushroom cut trees casually. He didn't seem to be in a hurry to go anywhere, and as she walked passed he looked at her curiously; as though he were trying to identify who she was.

'Good morning,' she said cheerfully, trying to be polite.

The boy simply looked at her, muttered something and waved. Then he got up and walked back in the opposite direction to the Uni. Tohru watched him go. His hair was sweet orange and his face was grim yet his eyes were bright and brown. He looked slightly tense or annoyed, but Tohru thought nothing more of it and she walked quickly on to the Drama Studio.

Her account of previous events concerning her car was accepted by the instructor. In fact, her audition was not to take place until thirty minutes time so she hadn't needed to worry in the slightest. Tohru felt the burden lift from her chest and she climbed the stairs into the barrister so that she could watch the other students perform. It would take some time to get through them all, since it was going to be a large performance and there were 20 actors to accommodate for. Tohru, as well as the rest, were to perform a monologue at least six minutes long, a song and also another random passage given to them by the director. Waiting for her name call was a drag, and watching the same people perform the same routine over and over again became tiresome. Tohru began thinking of other things and other people.

Her favourite thoughts were of the time she'd met Yuki Sohma in Los Angeles when she'd flown over specifically for the Convention he was attending to promote a new series. She'd booked a room in a rather flashy hotel and spent a few days cruising through LA and enjoying herself. Little did she know that Yuki Sohma was staying in that very same Hotel.

She'd got off the bus and was entering the hotel when she caught him out the corner of her eye. Security were holding him up, pestering him because he'd left his room key in the hotel and whenever returning to the domain you needed to present it.

'If you just let me go to the room, I can prove to you that I'm staying here,' he was saying, but he didn't look the least bit flustered. In fact, he looked quite happy and calm; as though his mood could not be broken this day. For a moment, he caught Tohru looking at him, but his attention was drawn back to the security men.

Tohru had wandered over, feeling as though she were about to make a fool of herself, and pointed out that he who had been hindered was in, in fact, Yuki Sohma, famous star from the series Fruits Basket, a major hit through out the world.

'Don't you recognize him? How could you not recognize that face?' Tohru had said and Yuki smiled at her, 'Now, you don't want to be doing this man any harm by delaying him. He probably has heaps of interviews to go to. Haven't you heard about the Convention tomorrow?'

'Uh… yes, yes Ma'am. We have. So sorry to delay you Mr Sohma. Please go right in. Simply inform the front desk that you have left your key in your room, they will understand.'

'Thank you so much,' Yuki said to them and went in, placing a hand on Tohru's back and veering her inside as well, 'and thank you' he said giving her a cheeky grin. At that point Tohru knew that she had been swept off her feet and she was floating on cloud nine. He looked so beautiful and so ordinary. Her hands began to shake and she hid them behind her back.

'Are you coming to the convention tomorrow?' he asked.

'Yes,' Tohru replied, 'I enjoy a lot of your work. You're very talented.'

Yuki smiled at her, 'That's good then, I'm going as well! I'll have to keep an eye out for you. What's your name again, I didn't catch it back there.'

'Tohru Honda.'

'Now that's different! Not sure if I'll remember that one,' he flashed a cheeky grin, 'but I won't forget that face. Make sure you get a ticket to see me, I'll be crushed if you don't.'

Tohru paused. Her heart was racing but she didn't want him to see that on her features. She nodded in reply and muttered 'of course,' even though it felt like sand paper was latched in her throat.

'So you're staying in this hotel, how long?' Yuki asked casually as they made their way to the front desk. Tohru wasn't sure if he'd intended for her to follow but she had; somehow magnetically drawn to him. She never wanted to leave his side.

'Just until tomorrow evening, then I go back to Australia.'

'Australia?' Yuki said impressed, 'I haven't been there very much but I hear it's fantastic. It would be great if I could get a job out there or something, then I could tour the whole place. Maybe I'll go on holiday with Hatsuharu some time. Either way, I'd love to get out there.'

'It's very beautiful, and very relaxed.'

'Cute women at that end of the world too.'

'What makes you say that?' Tohru asked with a grin.

'Oh… I've met one or two on various occasions.'

He smiled.

--blushes red-- I hope this is all right --bows and runs away--