The Girl on Fire ; Undying Flame
Summary: When Katniss is back from the 74th Hunger Games, she broke Peeta's heart because she loves Gale. But President Snow forces her to step it up with the love so there will be no uprisings. That's going to be hard if she's in love with Gale. On the Victory Tour, Madge and Gale tags along with Peeta and Katniss. How will a heart-brocken Peeta and her lover Gale take this? Takes place in the beginning of Catching Fire, alternated. Better than it seems actually. I don't own the Hunger Games... well, everyone always says that soo. _
Katniss' POV
Slowly, I start to walk. The forest floor under me, making no more than a whispered tap. I look around where we usual meet, but I see no Gale. Where is he? He promised me he would be here, usually I'm the one who's late. But when did he start being the tardy one?
Finally I'm back from the Games. It took effort, strength and stradegy to get myself out alive, not only for my family, but for Gale too. My mind flashes back to that one memory, I had when he visited me to say our final goodbye before I went off to the games.
"Please, please..."Finally, I see him. He's walking towards me with a smile on his face. This is the first time our eyes meet ever since the games. Instantly, my arms are wide and I fly into him. Holding me tight, I start to weep tears of joy. After a good amount of time, we free ourselves. I look him straight in the eye, through my watery ones.
"Yes,Gale. Tell me, you don't have much time left. Just please, tell me what you need to tell me."
"Katniss, look at me. Just look at me!"
"I'm looking at you, now tell me. This is our last moment together."
"Please, just promise me... come back. Try your hardest to survive. "
"I promise I'll try my best. I understand you want me to come back, I want to see you again aswell. You know since we've been best friends for -"
"No, Catnip! You don't undestand! I know we've been friends for years but it's more than that. I can't live without you. I love you."
"Gale, I love you too. I promise, I'll do my best to survive, to come home to you. Now promise me, promise me you'll wait for me. Whatever happens on the screen during the games, you'll wait for me. Okay?"
"Katniss. I'll wait for you, no matter how many eternities pass, no matter how much pain it takes. I'll always love you, forever and always."
Just as he leaned in to give me a kiss the Peacekeepers took him away. Missing the kiss that we never had, probably never will.
"Gale-", I start, but can't manage to continue because of the sobbing sound coming out from my throat. Instead I just burry my face deeper into his chest.
"Katniss, it's okay. You're safe now.", he says.
After sniffing for a couple of minutes, I stop crying. "I'm so glad to see you. I just-I just didn't think I'd ever see your face ever again!", I exclaim while hugging him.
He pulls apart and frowns at me. Looking a little depressed, and confused.
"What, Gale?", I ask even more confused
His eyes wander around for a bit, as if somehow trying to seek some answers from the woods. He sighs, "Where's , Mellark ", he asks, putting alot of force onto the last part of the question.
It takes me a second to realize he means Peeta. What does he have to do with anything?
"At home, well his new home, in the Victor's Village. Who knows, maybe in the bakery.", I say cooly acting as if I don't care. I really don't care where Peeta is at the moment cause he doesn't mean anything to me at the moment. But inside, I'm confused why he brang him up. "Why do you ask?", I say suspiciously.
"Oh, you know...", he says trailing off. "Since you two are in love and all", he says, his steardy voice is filled him hurt.
"No , Gale. You don't understand.", I say. While trying to keep up with him as he leaves. "Wait!", I yell and grab his shoulder, gripping it. He tries to escape but my firm grisp is tight, that's what being in The Hunger Games does to a person.
"I...I thought you loved me.", he whispers, completely full of sadness.
"Gale, I don't love him. I did all that to survive, I did it all for my family", I hold his hands. "I did it, for you", I say in a gently tone.
His hurt expression, slowly turns soft as he all understands. "Are you telling the truth, Catnip? It all seemed too real", he says.
Tip-toeing near him, I peck him on the lips, fireworks explode. Our first kiss. I let go and smile at him. "What do you think?", I ask teasingly.
Soon he starts to laugh along with me, as we walk out from the woods. Laughing, telling jokes, just being next to eachother again safe. Finally we are re-united.
At that moment, I knew this was a start to something new. A new beginning. Soon, our friendship, ours lives, and a relationship will mend.
_
I'll be continuing. Please review, this is my first actual story where I'm adding more chapters. Sorry for grammer/spelling mistakes, I'm still working as a writer. Feel free to critisize, give advice, tell me what you like. Or give me ideas, or little scenes you'd like me to add in! (: For this story I wrote the end before the beginning, so I'm looking forward to the ending. Anyways, review please? (;