A/N: So I've been playing with the idea of a Katniss and Cato pairing and the more I think about it the more I like it. This will be very AU it won't really line up with the books just fair warning! Hope you like let me know what you think! Oh and I don't own anything!
Katniss POV:
Numb. It is an all-consuming feeling, in fact it's the only feeling I've had since I took my sisters place. There was no way I would let her face this kind of fate. It was my job to protect her and that's exactly what I did. Now it was up to my mom and Gale, I wouldn't be there anymore to tuck her back in after the nightmares in fact I wouldn't be there for anything.
I know that I promised her that I would win but in reality I don't have a lot going for me. They are going to throw twenty-four of us going in that arena and only one of us is coming out. Some of the tributes have even been training their whole lives for this where I have just been trying to keep my family from starving.
The sound of Peeta's voice startles me out of my thoughts.
"Sorry what?"
"I said we're here." I get up from my seat and look out the window of the train. Sure enough we are shooting out of the tunnel. I'm astonished at the grandeur of the city that comes into view. The buildings stretch up into the sky and the shined in the afternoon sun.
We begin to pull into the station and are met with a screaming crowed. I back up from the glass and turn my face in disgust.
"Katniss come and wave to them. The best way to get sponsors is to make them like you."
"I'm not going to pretend like this is ok Mellark. I will get sponsors because I earn them not because I kissed their butts."
Glaring at the back of his head I watch as he cheerily waves to the people who salivate for our deaths. I refused to stoop to their level. Let him have the sponsors he would need them if he planned on surviving. The door slid open and guards appeared to walk us into our prison for the next week. Escape was not an option for me.
I make my face a mask as we pass the crowd. I would not seem weak to anyone. They make me sick not one of them look as if they even know what it's like to miss a meal. Mercifully the doors slam shut behind us effectively silencing their nauseating cheers. The guards left us to our mentors.
"Because you are from district twelve we will all be staying on the twelfth floor." Said Effie. She began to go on about useless things so I tuned her out.
Sometimes I wonder if there is anything useful under that pink wig of hers. Not likely.
The doors slide open and I can't control the gasp that leaves my lips. Our apartment is spectacular. They didn't waste any expense decorating the place. There are things that my family would never dream of seeing.
"Welcome to your home for the next few days. Anything you could ever dream of having is at your fingertips all you need do is ask. The capitol tries to compensate you for your great sacrifice."
I roll my eyes at her little speech. "Yes because dying is worth all this material crap." I say with a smile on my face.
Deciding to ignore me for now she continues. "Dinner will be in twenty minutes sharp so go to your rooms and get cleaned up. Peeta follow me and Haymitch show Katniss to hers."
"Come on." He slurs and starts off down a hall.
"So, when are you going to start working on a strategy with me?"
"Woah woah who said I was going to do anything of the sort." He stopped at what I assumed was my door.
"That's your job as past victor is to be our mentor. I'm not going down without a fight. I expect you will be sober and start doing your job. We need you."
Shock flashed across his face. Twelve's normal tribute is always half starved and has no idea what they were doing. If he expected that this year he was in for a surprise because I was going to give everything I had to make it back home to Prim. Just like I promised. With that said I walked in my room and shut the door in his face.
I walked into dinner feeling amazing after a hot shower, which was a first, and a clean set of clothes. The silky fabrics felt alien on me I was so used to the rough fabrics of home.
Finally I had to surrender I was so full I was scared that it would all come back up.
"Alright you two I promise that I will stop drinking and take this more seriously. But you two need to listen to everything I tell you to do. Don't question me just do as I say. Understood?"
"Yes." We both say at the same time.
As I lay in bed I finally let the emotion of the day out. I cry for my family, for Gale, and mostly for the life I will never have. After a few hours of this I just lay there and listen to the sounds around me. Soon however It feels as if the walls are closing in on me.
I jump out of bed and put on some stretchy cotton capris and a V-neck T-shirt. I pad barefoot through our apartment. I had to try to get out of this place. I creep out into our main room and look around. It seems as if everyone is asleep. The shadows in the room seem to hide things making my feet move faster towards the elevator. I push the button for it to come up. My panic increases and it seems to take hours for the elevator to come. The door dings and I look both ways and jump in. In my haste to hit the first floor button I hit the second floor button by mistake.
"Oh crap." My face drains of what little color was left. Hopefully no one will be awake. I hit the first floor button in hopes that I can get off that floor quickly.
The numbers count down and I now wish that I had just stayed in my room. Too soon for my liking the elevator begins to slow. Poising my hand over the door close button I wait for the doors to open to district twos apartment. I hear the loud ding and I flinch the doors slide open and I pray that no one is around especially one of the careers. Unfortunately for me luck has abandoned me completely today. The boy career tribute is standing up from the table. Clearly he was expecting it to be someone else because as soon as he sees me his face turns into one of hate.
He is huge and well built. Blonde he would be pretty if he wasn't now making his way over to me with a murderous look on his face. I panic and begin hitting the 'door close' button as fast as I can. I'm not fast enough because he sprints and slams his hand into the closing door so it opens. I squeak in surprise and try to put some distance between us.
"What do you think you're doing here?"
"N-n-nothing. I just hit the wrong button."
"Were you going to try something while we were still sleeping?" He shouts. He is way too big, I have nothing to defend myself and If it comes to a fight I'm dead before I even reach the arena.
I place my hands out in front of me," Hey I didn't mean to come here I wasn't after anyone. It was a mistake that's all."
He carefully looks me up and down trying to decide if I was a threat. "Get. Away. From. here. Don't let me catch you wandering around at night. Next time I won't be so merciful." With a smirk he backed out of the elevator. I couldn't look away from those eyes it's like I was trapped in them until the door took him away from my view. I slumped against the wall breathing hard. My heart felt like it was going to burst. So much for not looking weak I just gave him his first target. Lovely. Deciding that nothing good would come of continuing to wander I hit the twelve button again. Tomorrow was a big day anyways. Tomorrow training begins.