A/N: This is my very first author's note for my very first fanfic. I'm new at this so any reviews, advice, and critiques will be greatly appreciated. This first chapter might seem a little short but more will follow soon. I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter One – Clove

I feel the whoosh of air by my ear, see the fist I just dodged fly past my head in my peripheral vision. I duck another swing and manage a quick jab to the girl's solarplexus with my elbow before she can strike again. She staggers back, her face angry and contorted in pain. From my crouched position I smile at her, a leering and taunting smile that turns her anger into fury.

A quick glance around the training room tells me that everyone is watching us; the Master Trainer staring intently while his assistant takes notes, the other District 2 Career trainees showing various amounts of amusement and annoyance, Cato. He's trying to appear indifferent, and I'm probably the only one who can see the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. His stunning blue eyes are trained on me and they're the only ones I care about. Not that I need to impress him.

A ragged huff from the trainee I'm squared off against brings my attention back to our skirmish. She's much bigger than I am but I'm small and agile. Small but dangerous, Cato always teases me. He's right though, I am dangerous. Some have even called me crazy. I've proved it repeatedly over the many years I've trained with all the others to become a Career Tribute. At sixteen, I'm not old enough by District 2 standards to volunteer for the games but that hasn't stopped me from outmatching nearly every other girl in my class. They hate me for it, especially the older girls. The reaping for the seventy-fourth Hunger Games is just days away and the eighteen-year-olds don't stand a chance of being chosen to represent District 2 if they let themselves get bested by a younger opponent.

Like this girl in front of me, Hipolita. She's eighteen and like all the rest she's just dying to earn the honor of becoming a tribute, hoping she can win the games and make mommy and daddy oh so proud. I'm the only thing standing in her way and she's barely been able to touch me. I smile again, a cruel smile that sends her into a blind rage. She charges at me but I'm ready for her and in seconds she's face down on the cold mat of the training room. The sharp points of my knees dig into her back and I've got her right arm caught behind her in a tight grip, effectively pinning her to the ground. I allow myself a short triumphant laugh. She's so weak and if I wanted to I could break her.

I could do it. With a simple twist I could snap her arm like a twig and revel in the sound of bones breaking. I get that feeling again. The bloodlust rises up through my body burning hot in my veins, blocking out everything else till all I see is red. My fingers twitch with a life of their own, dying to crush the limb they hold captive. My victim writhes and screams out in pain beneath me and it only makes me want to break her more. Just a quick twist and–

"Enough!"

The Master Trainer steps forward, calling an end to the match. For a brief moment, I consider ignoring him. I've never been very good with following the rules. How else would I get to spill any blood? But eventually I shoot a fierce glower his way before reluctantly climbing off of Hipolita.

"Well done, Clove," the Master claps briefly as I walk across the floor to rejoin the line of trainees. Some of the others clap as well. Most of them don't.

I have to walk past a gaggle of older girls who are making a big show of crossing their arms and completely ignoring me. I hate them. They're annoying, chittering idiots and I wish I could snap their necks and put them out of their misery. Especially that one. Aria. From under blonde bangs her blue eyes are glaring at me with a special kind of hate and I return it in kind. She's a favorite with the trainers and will most likely be the one chosen to be this year's tribute. She'd beaten me today, but it wouldn't have happened if I'd had my knives. There isn't another trainee alive who can outmatch my skills with a knife, but hand-to-hand isn't my strong suit. Aria must still be reveling in her victory because she's still watching me when she whispers something under her breath to her friends and they cackle in agreement. I barely caught the last few words, "little monkey."

I want to rip her face off. But I'd be punished for sure so I settle for walking right up to her and cupping my hand against her check before she can react. An ugly blue and purple bruise is forming just under her eye, courtesy of my knee to her face just hours ago. "Why Aria, that's turning such a lovely color. I'm sure your prep team will be able to find a dress that matches it perfectly." She jerks away from me as if I've burned her, her face now red with anger and embarrassment, making her look even more ridiculous.

With a dark smirk I stride down the rest of the line and take my place next to Cato. I'm staring straight ahead, still glowering, but I can feel his eyes burning into me. Even in my rage-fogged mind they make me shiver. I want to reach for his hand but I can't, not yet.

After a few more fights the trainers huddle together for a moment before assembling in front of the trainees. After days of competition, they're ready to announce the names of those who will volunteer to be this year's tributes.

For the boys, Cato Apollo. There was never any doubt. He stands tall and perfectly muscled, sporting his trademark cocky smirk as the others congratulate him. He's strong, smart, handsome, and ruthless, and the things he can do with a sword… I know my usual scowl has been replaced with a smile and I'm beaming up at him with so much pride because he's beautiful. And he's mine. After accepting all of the other trainee's praises he glances my way with a brief smile just for me.

For the girls, Aria Flavian. Of course. She smiles her stupid head off and her friends squeal themselves into a tizzy. Whatever. At least now she'll die in the arena and I'll never have to see her again.

Cato will win the Hunger Games, come back to District 2 a victor, and we'll finally have everything we ever wanted. We can finally be together.