A/N: Here it is. The sequel! :D I'm so happy I've made it this far, -insert fangirl squeal- I hope you all enjoy this as much as the first one. To the first chapter!

DISCLAIMER: No. I do not own The Hunger Games. Well, fuck. I want Gale! T~T

NOTE: This story is going to be in the present tense (unlike the last story) and will now be in Katniss' POV. I'm sorry if you don't like it, but I feel that I should do this in her view, rather then Gale's.

WARNING: This story is rated T for now. It could possibly escalate to M. You have been warned.

Chapter 1

The reaction of the crowd is gratifying. It is beautiful, amazing, and I am grateful for it.

But at that moment Haymitch stumbles across the stage. "Look at her! Look at this one!" He throws an arm around my shoulders. "I like her! Lots of...spunk! Spunk! More than you!" He lets me go, then points to the cameras. "More than you!" He collapses. I cannot tell if he is just shouting because he is in a druken stupor or if he is actually mocking the Capitol.

He is then taken away on a stretcher, and Effie pipes up, "What an exciting day! But more excitement to come! It's time to choose our boy tribute!"

My heart speeds up. What if Gale gets chosen? Who would take care of our families? How could I stand fighting against him?

Effie quickly rummages through the slips of paper, and draws one out. Again, the crowd is silent while she strides to the microphone. Effie beams, shouting, "Peeta Mellark!"

Holy shit. The odds are most definitely not in my favor. Peeta Mellark. Why him of all boys in the district? I did not want to face him. I owe him, after all, when he saved my family and me that one day, burning the bread and tossing it to me.

My reverie is shattered when I hear a familiar voice shouting frantically. "I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER!"

I gasp out loud. It is Gale, my best friend. He just volunteered. Now I know that the odds are completely against me.

Effie actually lets out a squeal of joy. "Oh my! Two volunteers in one day! It is nice to see that you all are full of enthusiasm!"

I resist the urge to just walk over to her and slap her silly. This was a serious matter, and all she did was jump up and down with joy.

Gale makes his way up the steps, and he avoids looking at me.

"Our tributes, Katniss Everdeen, and Ga-" Effie is cut off.

Peeta runs onto the stage. "No! I want to go in the games!"

The whole crowd gasps.

Gale whirls around and glare at Peeta. "What the hell? Why?"

All eyes are on us. Effie's mouth forms an O, and she frantically waves her hands. "Now boys, we can sort this out!" She glances at the mayor for help.

The mayor breathes deeply, then stands up. "We must consult the guide." He grabs a thick book that stands on the podium, then flips through it.

He must have found what he is looking for. "If a tribute is volunteered for and would like to still participate in the games, the tribute or volunteer must back down. If none back down, both with go into the games."

I stare at Gale, trying to tell him to step down, to stay home and take care of our families. But no can do.

Gale stares straight at the cameras. "I am going into the games."

Peeta walks in front of Gale. "So am I."

I release my breath, not even realizing that I was holding it till now. I had hoped Gale would stay here. But that was too much to wish for.

Effie breaks the awkward silence. "Well. District 12, give it up for our tributes, Katniss Everdeen, Gale Hawthorne, and Peeta Mellark!"

Again, the crowd doesn't clap. They simply hold up three fingers like they did for me earlier. I am stunned that our sad little district actually has that much respect for us three.

The mayor breaks up the moment by reciting the Treaty of Treason, as he usually does each year. Then the anthem plays, and the reaping is finally over.

Immediately following the playing of the anthem, I am whisked to the Justice Building, accompanied by Peacekeepers. I glance at Gale, but he doesn't look at me. Then we are seperated.

I sit on the couch, waiting for my mother and Prim. The door opens, and Prim runs in. "Katniss!" She nearly suffocates me with her tight grip.

I push her back delicately by her shoulders. "Prim. It's okay."

Prim wipes her eyes. "No, it's not. You shouldn't have volunteered for me. And now Gale is involved too. It's all my fault."

I shake my head fervently. "No, Prim. It's not your fault. Don't you dare blame yourself. It's not your fault."

I hold her close, then face my mom. "You can't go away this time."

She sags her shoulders. "I know. It won't happen again."

"It can't happen again." My tone comes out sharper then I intend. My mothers seems to shrink back, as if afraid of my words. "You have to stay here. For Prim. For yourself. You have to keep yourselves alive."

My mom nods. "I will."

"Good," I reply curtly. Then I said up and pull her and Prim into a big hug. "Goodbye, Mom, Prim. I'm going to miss you guys so much."

My voice is thick, and I am trying to hold back tears.

My mom looks into my eyes, her eyes gleaming with unshed tears. "Katniss, I love you."

Prim shakes my arm. "Katniss, promise me you'll try to come back. Please."

I look down at her distraught face.

"Promise me Katniss!" She is shaking me so hard.

"I promise, Prim." I kiss her on top of her head.

The door opens again, and this time Peackeepers enter. "It's time to leave."

My mom and Prim slowly walk away. Prim turns back one last time, shouting, "I love you Katniss!"

"I love you Prim!" I answer, but I don't know if she heard me. After that, I sit back down on the couch, unsure of what to do.

Someone else steps into the room. I look up, startled. It is Madge. "Madge, what are you doing here?"

Madge opens her hand. In it is the golden mockingjay pin. "Every tribute is allowed one token. Would you please take this as your's?"

I swallow, then answer. "Yes, Madge, but why?"

She just smiles sadly. "Good luck Katniss." Then turns and walks away.

As she leaves, I see Hazelle and the kids enter. "Hazelle, Rory, Vick, Posy." I pull the children onto the couch with me.

Hazelle is crying, her eyes rimmed red. "Oh Katniss! I'm so sorry this has to happen to you!"

I try to hold back my tears, but seeing her and the kids cry isn't helping. "It's not your fault," I manage to whisper.

"Katniss!" She pulls me up, and hugs me tightly. "You're like my second daughter. You and Gale take good care of each other, okay?"

I nod, and my tears are now streaming freely down my face. "I promise."

She sniffles. "Good."

We both stand there, crying, until Rory pipes up. "You can do this Katniss. You and Gale, you both have hunting skills."

I try to smile. "Thanks for the advice."

He just hugs me, and Vick and Posy follow suit. I will miss them so much. I love them like they're my own brothers and sister.

The Peackeepers break apart our moment, shouting at Hazelle that it was time to leave, or they would be removed by force.

To my surprise, I have one more visitor. Seems like I am popular today.

My last guest is Mr. Mellark, Peeta's father, the baker. "Mr. Mellark. Why are you here?"

Mr. Mellark hands me a folded white package. "What is it?" I ask him.

"Open it," he tells me. I don't know if I am imagining it, but I think I detect a trace of sadness in his voice.

I carefully unfold the package. Inside are cookies, sweet delectable cookies. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." He hesitates, then adds, "I won't let your family starve. Or the boy's family either."

I nod cautiously. "Thank you, but why are you helping us?"

Mr. Mellark gives me a small, sad smile. "You Everdeen women don't know what effect you can have." He quickly switches gears. "Goodbye, Katniss. And good luck."

I give him a small wave, and watch him leave. The Peacekeepers enter the room and motion to me to follow them out.

The ride from the Justice Building to the train station is short. I have never ridden in a car before this moment. In the Seam, we always walk.

Shortly after arriving at the train station, I see the cars holding Peeta and Gale arrive.

Awaiting us at the station is reporters, many of them, buzzing around with microphones and cameras, shouting my name, Gale's, and Peeta's. All three of us try to avoid them, and quickly hop into the train.

The outside of the train is already fancy enough, but the interior is fancier than the Justice Building. We are each given our own chambers that contain a bedroom, dressing area, and a private bathroom with hot running water. We have drawers filled to the brim with fine clothes, and we are told that we can do anything we want to do on this train.

Effie trills, "Be ready for supper in an hour!" then leaves us to our own devices.

I immediately turn to Gale. Then I promptly slap him across his right cheek.

A/N: Okay you guys! Whew, this was a long chapter. Chapter one of the sequel is up! Please review and give me your thoughts! :)