Disclaimer is in first chapter; please look there…YOU LAWYER!

Notes: You have just been over-the-top with reviews, I mean, come on! I didn't think I was any good but thanks so much for boosting my confidence. What many people don't realize is the fact that I'm actually not into-twenty-chapter stories, my stories don't go over ten chapters, often they don't go over eight. This one is going to end on seven.

I love you guys, please keep reviewing. Please?

Dedicated to: For one, Zenin as always, who forever will rock socks. Also to everyone who's reviewed so far, I love you. I seriously honestly want to hug each of you.

I Dare You to Dance

Chapter Four: Hip!!

By Emmy

--*--

"I've won what?"

Sakura's shriek shook Syaoran from his nap on the lumpy couch.  He slowly stood, stretched, yawned and looked over to Sakura's dancing form.  She lightly skipped over to him and grabbed him by the arms.  He steadied her carefully as she spun and laughed.  "Syaoran, you'll never ever guess what just happened!"  A huge smile shone from her face.

Syaoran shrugged.  "What?"

"I won ten thousand dollars!"

Syaoran frowned.  Some things are just too good to be true…  "Honestly?"

The big grin never left her face.  "Yes!  I'm serious!  Can you believe it, Syaoran?  I'll be able to get a new couch and pay all the bills on time – "

Syaoran gave her a tiny smile.  He was happy for her – really, she deserved it.  She wasn't thinking about clothing, make-up or new cell-phones straight off; she was thinking about serious things.  Ways to stretch the money, make the blessing last longer…and the couch idea sounded pretty good.

But he still had his doubts.  He wasn't a reporter for nothing, after all; and something about this sudden phone call sounded weird.  "So, how'd you win it?"

"I entered this competition at the supermarket.  I just did it for fun, but wow!  I'll be getting the money soon…the lady said it'd take only three days!"

Sakura was much calmer now, he noted amusedly.  She was still bouncy as hell, though.

Syaoran gave her a hug – inwardly loving the fact he could do that.  Even if it was a "We're Just Friends" hug.  Sakura was wonderful and always returned with a "I Know That" hug.  But he'd seen a new side of her this week – a side where she was frail and easily hurt.   She really wasn't all that strong, even though she tried her best to act that way.

"I can quit my job!"

Syaoran's thoughts ground to a halt.  That didn't sound very good.  He couldn't stop the frown from stealing across his face.  Hopefully Sakura wouldn't notice his odd silence.  He stole a quick sidelong glance at her.

She was still as happy as ever.  For now, he would ignore the pessimistic side of his nature that demanded justice.  He had seen Sakura's angsty side, and he was reluctant to shatter her new happiness by voicing his fears.  Just for now….he'd ignore them.

Sakura whirled around, obviously exhilarated as she ran past him to her room.  She returned with her jacket in hand, humming some song under her breath and still smiling breathlessly. 

"Where are you going?"

She didn't stop to answer, simply throwing her reply over her shoulder.  "I can quit my job!"

That was the second time she'd said that.  Syaoran inwardly cursed.  "Don't you think you should wait until you have the money?"

Sakura shook her head and dashed out the door.  Syaoran groaned and sank back onto the lumpy couch, cradling his head in his hands.  Was Sakura about to make a big mistake?

-*-

"Hi, is Gustaff there?"

"I'll go get him for you."

"Thanks, Mary."

Sakura waited outside the heavy door, rocking back and fourth on her heels to keep warm.  A large, mustached man came to the door; his apron drenched in stains.  "What d'you need, Sakura?"

Sakura mustered up some courage and looked Gustaff straight in his beady eyes.  "I quit."

He cracked up laughing. 

Sakura felt extremely confused.  Was this his way of dealing with employees?  Did she have something on her face?  Sakura's hand went immediately to her hair, smoothing it down.  Her ex-employer leaned against the doorframe and wiped a tear from his eyes.  In a deep, halting voice – he was not completely on the best of terms with English yet – he chuckled.  "Sakura, why do you wish to leave me?"

She shrugged.  "Better opportunities."

Sakura herself had learned English early on in life, and was quite fluent.  But even with her good English, she was struggling to find a word that matched how Gustaff was making her feel.  It was a mixture of confusion and rejection.  She really wanted him to take her seriously and accept her decision.

He eyed her.  "So this place is not good enough for Sakura?"

She gulped – but he waited, expecting an answer.  She began tentatively.  "Well, Gustaff, you've been a good employer…but there are other jobs for me."

"Oh, I hope we would never bring the mighty Sakura down to our common level."

Sakura took back her thoughts about his English.  He certainly knew enough to make someone doubt a decision and feel very bad about the decision in question.  "Can I take my leaver's payment, please?"

Gustaff again eyed her, this time with disgust.  "So, you come to me with thoughts of not wanting this job and then you ask for money?"  He spat at her feet.  "You shall get no money, you trash!  You were bad at working anyway!  No fire, no passion for the job!  I am glad you are gone."

And with that he slammed the door in her face. 

Sakura kicked a stone on the ground, feeling strangely dejected.  All of her former exhilaration had evaporated.  She wandered over to the street side and hailed a cab, wondering over Gustaff's words.  How could anyone have passion for that sort of career?  She should have wished Gustaff luck in finding such a person.

It started to rain.

Sakura stepped out of the cab and jogged quickly inside the apartment building, shielding her head from the rain.  She tiredly climbed the stairs and walked to her room, fiddling with the keys. 

The door flew open before she had a chance to open the lock.  There stood Syaoran, dressed in a "manly" apron with an oven glove on.  He smiled sheepishly at her startled expression. 

She stepped inside and sniffed the air.  Syaoran had a slightly proud look on his face, obviously waiting for some reaction.  Sakura laughed.

"That smells delicious!  What is it, Syaoran?"

He put an arm around her and pushed her towards the couch.  "I thought you could maybe use a decent meal after quitting your job."  He cleared his throat.  "Besides, my cooking is better then yours."

Sakura opened her mouth to protest but he gave her a slight wink, and Sakura found that she became completely immobile at the show of unusual playfulness.  She was so used to the serious nature of her roommate…and suddenly he had become so thoughtful.

Ten minutes later, the meal was ready.  Sakura sat down at their table and picked up her chopsticks.  Syaoran served her a large helping and watched as she dug in.  "Mmm, Syaoran!  You're right!  This is fantastic!"

He gave her one of his slight smiles.  He loved it when she talked in exclamation marks, especially when it had something to do with him.  "Glad you like it.  My sisters taught me."

She grinned, eyes laughing.  "They taught you very well.  Do you think that they might be able to teach me?"

"I could do that, if you want," he replied, opening the fridge to get a beer.  He turned to Sakura.  "Want one?"

Sakura's eyes widened.  "Oh God, no!  Those things are disgusting.  I'll take a glass of wine, though."

He muttered something beneath his breath and poured a glass of wine.  "Would you like seconds?"

"Oh, yes!"

He brought them both back another helping and assumed a business-like tone – which Sakura merrily mocked for a few minutes.

"Sakura, I need to tell you something."

Sakura winked playfully.  "Go on.  What's her name?"

His face flushed and stumbled. "W-who?"

"The important something, that's who!"

He shook his head.  "You have such a one-track mind.  It must be those shows you watch –"

She quieted; still smiling, though.  "It was just a joke, Syaoran.  Now go ahead.  Whatcha want to say?"

He took a sip of his beer, idly tracing patterns on the frosty surface of the bottle.  "I think I should move out."

Sakura choked.  She cleared her throat.  "My ears must be bad or something.  Too much wine.  I know my ability to handle alcohol is questionable, but you couldn't have just said…what I think you said.  Did you?"

Syaoran glanced sidelong at her.  "I remember what you said during our 'exchange' – about how you were tired of being financially indebted to me.  Well, you will soon be receiving ten thousand dollars.  This month's bills and rent are paid…and I think it's pretty obvious that you've attained you're financial freedom.  I need to move out now.  Besides, there's this little place that I had my eye on.  I have enough to rent it."

Sakura sighed, staring down at her empty plate.  "You're right.  I can't keep you here."  She looked up and smiled a little.  It was amazing how attached she had become to her roommate is such a short time.  "Go on.  But thanks for being such a great cook!   You've been a lovely roommate."

He smiled and touched her hand briefly.  "Thanks, Sakura.  You've been alright."

She gasped in mock hurt and widened her eyes.  "I thought I was lovely!"

"You are."

She blushed uncomfortably and looked down at her plate again.  "I'll wash up."

After the table was cleared and the dishes washed, Sakura flopped down on the couch.  The grime of the day was getting to her – which was strange, considering how the day had cleared away so many financial troubles.  She ought to be feeling happy…

Then again, it could simply be the filth of Gustaff's place that was eating away at her comfort.  Sakura had always had a thing about dirt.

She stood up, leaving the television on just in case Syaoran wanted to watch anything.  He was probably somewhere in his room, packing. 

She whistled over to the bathroom and opened the door, and was greeted by the sight of a naked Syaoran; his eyes closed, and steam billowing from the shower, blurring most of his assets. Sakura gaped for a few minutes before reflexes suddenly kicked in.

"Sorry!" she said quickly.  She slammed the door and ran to her room.

She was right though; he did have a fabulous body.  It was very strong looking, carved six-pack and he was thin, but oh-so-delectable.  There was a scar on his shoulder but apart from that, he really was smooth and beautiful.

I have a Greek-God in my home, and he's leaving.

She would never, ever be able to face him.  Ever.  She had stood there for a few minutes, gaping openly.  He must have known she was there.  Sakura's mind strayed to a bad place as she thought about joining him.  She immediately set that stray, evil caboose back on track and allowed it to chug on very cleanly.  She would never be invited into that shower box.  Well, not with him in there.

Sakura decided to get ready for bed, praying that she wouldn't have to face him.

Syaoran opened the door into his room, a towel draped round his waist and water dripping from his dark hair.  He pulled on some boxers and t-shirt and flopped into bed.  As soon as he closed his eyes, he was greeted by frightening images.  He opened his eyes again and sighed.

It was going to be one of those nights.  He closed his eyes once more, hoping with all his might that maybe they were gone and he could get some sleep.  Dark, frightening, vivid, gory and blood-filled images flashed under his eyes.  Why was it so bad, tonight?  Was it because he was having a good day?  Were his past-demons deciding that he was not worthy of such a good mood?

He opened his eyes and rolled over, muttering with as much force as he could, "Bloody demons!"

Another hour crept slowly by.  He couldn't take it anymore, he needed some sleep.  A grand thought touched his mind.  He wearily picked up a pillow and blanket.  "Sakura always makes them go away."

He stepped into her room; her floorboards creaking.  She shot up and grabbed the nearest thing to her.  "I'm warning you, I know – "

He smiled tiredly.  "It's just me, silly."

"Syaoran?"

She sounded sleepy and confused.  He felt bad about waking her up, but he was beyond breaking point now.  "Yeah, it's me, Sakura.  Sorry, but can I…?"

She pulled back her covers and flopped back down onto her pillow, her voice muffled against the material.  "Yeah, sure."

He climbed in, careful to stay on one side of the bed.  She was muttering something sleepily into her pillow.  "G'night Syaoran, hope I can make it go away…"

He blushed hotly, she must have heard him. He let his hand flop down on the mattress and was greeted by warm flesh instead.  Sakura's strangled voice said, "Hip!"

He leapt out of the bed and grabbed his pillow. "I'm so sorry, Sakura!  I didn't mean to…"  He rubbed his face tiredly.  "I'll just go back to my room now.  Sorry."

Sakura sat up, blushing but understanding.  "I trust you."

Syaoran was struck by the innocence of her sentence.  Simplicity said so much sometimes.  Sakura stretched out again.  "It's not like you're some freak I've just met, Syaoran.  You're my guy-pal."

Tentatively, he lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes tightly.  A few minutes later, he felt Sakura snuggle up to him.  He laid an arm around her, and a feeling of peace came over him. 

Yes, she really did make them go away.

--*--

Next chapter could be late by a few, my beta is being lovely and is quite caught up with her life but I accept that. She's very busy. I'll send her a check-up email. Any questions or queries, maybe even advice, email me! I'm hot_musturd2001@hotmail.com. Anyway, peace-out, you guys have been awesome. I write for you.