Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Danball Senki WARS or Hunger Games.

Summary: No hesitation. That's what Muraku knew when his brother was reaped for the 73th games. No hesitation. That's what Muraku knew in order to win the games. Hunger Games Au, two-shot. Hints of Muraku x Hikari (oc)

No hesitation. That's what Muraku thought when Fifi, District 4's escort asked for volunteers for the male tribute. There was no way he was going to let Wataru go into the Arena. He wouldn't last a day there even though he's from one of the Career districts. That's why he immediately stepped forward and went up to the stage.

"I volunteer." He said in his firm, cool voice. All the cameras were turned on him and his face appeared on the large screen in front of them. Only Wataru, his mother, and his closest friends could see the fear in his eyes.

"Well, don't we have one handsome volunteer!?" Fifi squeaked with her fake grin growing larger by the minute. "Why don't you come up here and give us your name?"

Muraku took a deep breath and went on the stage. "Houjou Muraku."

He barely remembered his goodbyes to his mother and his friends. Wataru had come in after they had left and burst into tears, wishing that he did not have to do this for his sake.

Muraku could only comfort him, saying that he could not stand aside and let him get killed in the games. Because he is his little brother, related or not.

The train ride was a blur but he could remember his mentors, Finnick and Mags, drilled the importance of keeping up with appearances while keeping an eye out for anything that can help them in the arena. His partner, Jamie, had only shrugged and walked off halfway through it. Either she was not interested or arrogant enough to believe she could win if she depended on herself or she had given up. Personally, he believes it's the third one.

"Do you have an idea of a strategy for the games?" Finnick asked when he was done.

Muraku looked squarely in the eye and whispered, "Don't hesitate to survive."

Finnick and Mags each raised an eyebrow and exchanged glances. Finnick shrugged. "Sounds good enough for me."

During the chariot ride, Jamie mostly ignored him and the other tributes which was good enough for him. As his eyes swept along the line of tributes, looking for the ones he should be cautious of, his eyes caught sight of the two blonds from District 6. He could immediately tell that they are twins and from what he remembered from watching the recap of the reaping, the male tribute had volunteered like he did. He chalked it down as the brother wanted to protect his sister in the arena.

While it was a noble cause, there was no doubt it would cause more harm than good. It would only draw more attention to them in his opinion.

But what truly caught his attention is the fact that while the female tribute looks scared and terrified, there was a sly glint in her eyes that was shared along with her brother. There was something about her that reminded him of Wataru.

Muraku silently shook his head to clear it of those thoughts and focused back on the rest of the line of tributes. But even so, he's eyes would flicker back to District 6's female every now and then.

No hesitation. Muraku knew that he will not hold back anything when Caesar asks him questions. Even the ones he did not want to answer.

"Let them know who you are." Finnick told him. "That way, they will gain an interest in you and will be willing to sponsor you."

"I thought they already are?"

"It's a competition with the other mentors, mostly with the careers'. If one career impresses the entire capitol, the others will lose sponsors. It may not be significant in the beginning, but as the games progress, you will find that you will have to leave the careers at some point. That's when sponsorship becomes very important."

Muraku nodded as he processed this information in his brain. It made sense to him, that's why he was willing to do this. So far, he had managed to gain an interest from the capitol since his cool demure gave them the impression that he was a cold hearted killer. But for his final question, Caesar asked the dreaded question.

"So why did you volunteer?"

Muraku's eyes narrowed at the question and he subconsciously tapped his thigh with his finger, a habit he had when he was thinking. "This may seem strange from what you have already thought about me. But the truth is, Wataru is my cousin from my mother's side. His parents passed away several years ago and he has been living with us since. I see him more as a little brother than merely a cousin that came to live with us. I will win the games to show that he does not need to feel guilty for putting me in the games. I will win and present myself as a victor."

Caesar's eyebrows shot up at Muraku's declaration. "Wow, those are fighting words. I hope your brother will be watching this so that he can see how determine you are to win for him."

The buzzer buzzed and Caesar and Muraku shook hands. "Good luck in the games."

Muraku bowed and took his seat. As the interviews went on, Murak could not help but feel the gaze of one of the tributes was constantly on him. But he did not dare to turn and see who it was. It was not until it was District 6's female tribute's turn that he felt it extinguish.

As the blond female went up stage, everyone was taken in by her fearful red rim eyes. But for some reason, Muraku could tell that she made them up.

"Hikari, how do you feel?" Caesar asked her.

'Hikari, so that was her name.' Muraku mused. The rest of her interview went on with her and Caesar going over the pros and cons of having a sibling in the arena with you.

"The part about your cousin was unnecessary." Finnick told Muraku after the interviews.

"You told me to tell them everything about myself." Muraku retorted.

Finnick sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Alright, I said that but still, it was unnecessary. Because of that, your sponsorship percentage had dropped."

"But not significantly."

Finnick threw up his hands in frustration. "Take this seriously. You are going to have to convince the capitol you are a coldblooded killer if you want to push up the number of sponsors again."

Muraku did not dare to tell him that being a coldblooded killer was something he swore to Wataru that he would not become. Luckily, Finnick was done with him and dismissed him. So he went over to the elevators but stopped when he saw Hikari waiting for it too.

As though she sensed him, she turned around and frowned. "If it isn't the cold hearted killer."

"And if it isn't the deceiver." He retorted. "You are not going to trick me with your weak act."

Hikari was visibly shock that he managed to see through her façade and smirked. "Well, you are certainly one to be careful of."

"I could say the same to you."

The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside together. Muraku eyed her carefully. "I thought you always stick close to your brother."

"Not always." She shook her head. "By the way, good luck in getting more sponsors." She winked at him. "I agree with your mentor that telling the capitol of your cousin would only lower their esteem of you."

Muraku's jaw dropped open but before he could question her, the elevator stopped at the fourth floor and he knew he had to get out.

"By the way, it was nice meeting you." She smiled sincerely before the elevator doors closed on them.

Muraku was frozen on the spot. There's no way he could easily forget her now.

Muraku did not hesitate to stab the girl from District 3 with his spear when she tried to lunge at him with a knife in hand. Even so, he made sure that it was a merciful, quick-ending death. He will only kill in self-defense, not because he is pressured to give the audience of the capitol a good bloodbath.

While the other careers gathered up all the supplies and moved the bodies into one pile at the other side of the Cornucopia, he did a quick look and was slightly relief there were no blonds. But he saw Jamie's face in the pile and his heart sank. She may had given up on all hope and knew that she would die either way in the games, but still, she was his district partner.

"Gather everything up and we'll go hunting!" Their leader/District 2's male, Bruce declared. This was met with cheers from everyone in the Career group save Muraku who pretended to busy himself by sorting out the supplies.

"Hey purple boy, give some response." Bruce said mocking at him, towering over him.

"I would rather save my energy for more important things than doing war cries." Muraku said nonchalantly.

"Like?"

"Hunting prey." Muraku smirked.

Bruce paused and turned to everyone. "I like his way of thinking."

Muraku smirked and went back to his work, ignoring the burning stares of everyone at his back.