Deception

Just to clarify. This is AU. So some of the characters might not act entirely the same as they do in the books. Also, the prologue takes place two years after the 74th HG. The main story takes place four years after.

A knock on the door interrupted yet another one-sided argument between Katniss and Peeta, the sound an echoing wall between them. Katniss was glaring at Peeta, her hands balled up into tight fists. Peeta remained impassive, though some part of his facial expression hinted at a sorrow he was trying so hard to conceal. After about a minute another knock rang out and Peeta sighed. "Well go ahead, answer it. It's probably Cato."

Katniss glared until he turned, and then rolled her eyes. He was always so submissive and Katniss loathed it. She was constantly picking trying to goad him into any sort of argument, even about the most trivial things. But he never gave in to his obvious frustrations. Her fists relaxed, and she strode over the door. As she opened it she was greeted by the tall and muscular Cato. "Hey Katniss." He flashed his trademark cocky grin, and she felt her heart melt.

"Hey! Come on in!" she said enthusiastically, ignoring a raised eyebrow from Peeta.

"Hi Peeta." His tone was friendly, but Peeta simply turned his back and disappeared into the back bedroom.

"Oh don't mind him. He's in a mood again today." Katniss said, not bothering to hide the disdain in her voice. "So what brings you over here so early?" As she asked she grabbed an apple from a nearby bowl and tossed it to him.

"Oh, nothing really. Just the usual." He bit into the apple vigorously as he winked at her.

She walked over and sat beside him, stealing a nervous glance towards the shut bedroom door as she did so. "So, where are we meeting tonight?" she whispered.

He snuck in a kiss, which sent sparks through Katniss as it always did, before slipping a sheet of paper into her waiting hand. "You'll see. Just make sure Loverboy doesn't follow you."

She laughed. "That won't be too difficult. He sleeps like a log."

Cato chuckled as well before standing. "Well, I'll be off now. Don't be a stranger, eh Katniss?" He winked again before taking his leave.

Katniss stuffed the paper into a side pocket and stood. "Come on Peeta! I don't want to fight anymore. Let's bake something!" This coaxed him out of the room, albeit reluctantly. She followed him into the kitchen and watched as he prepared the work station.

There were still lingering feelings, most often brought on by seeing the passion in his eyes when it came to baking. She walked over and placed a gentle hand on his back, and he smiled faintly at her. "Let's get started."

Katniss shivered in the cold, stomping her foot in frustration. "Where is he?" she wondered aloud. The bright light of the moon shimmered off the surrounding trees, and if she were anyone other than herself it might seem eerie to her. But she of all people knew that in these woods, at least, nothing out of the ordinary would be lurking.

Finally heavy footsteps alerted her, and Cato emerged into the clearing. "About time! You're twenty minutes late!"

"Sorry." He grunted. "I thought I had a follower, so I had to take an alternate route."

"Mmm, you always were clever like that." Katniss said quietly, running her pointer finger down his chest. His lips parted, and he leaned down to kiss her. She welcomed the feeling of his strong arms and sensuous lips. Words remained unneeded as they began stripping off various articles of clothing and things started heating up. Before long they were stark naked, and he was inside her.

It was their fourth time making love, and to Katniss it was just as passionate as any time before. Their love for one another burned in every movement they made, and when it was finished Katniss knew this was something she had never experienced with Peeta, nor did she think she ever could. They lie there together for some time before reluctantly parting to find their respective clothing.

Once they were fully dressed they faced one another, gazing into each other's eyes. "Until next time." Cato said in a deep voice. "And may it be even sweeter."

Katniss smiled. "Oh, it will be." They kissed for one last time before going their opposite ways.

Katniss hurried home, for fear that Peeta might soon awaken to discover her gone. As she stepped into the large house she listened. Silence echoed throughout the home, reassuring her that he was still asleep. He wasn't really a quiet sort of guy, and he was almost always clomping around the house in his big boots. She began a strenuous tiptoe to the back bedroom, her eyes sharply peeled for any sign of movement.

Once she reached the door she turned the knob soundlessly and crept inside. Sure enough, there he was, sound asleep as indicated by the unmoving lump under the covers. She waited for a split second and then allowed herself a small breath of relief as she began undressing. Once she was properly dressed in her night clothes, she slunk over to the bed and under the covers.

She moved close to him, expecting to feel the usual warmth that his large body radiated. But he was cold to the touch, and she frowned. "Peeta, are you alright?" she asked timidly. When he failed to respond, she lifted the covers to get a better look at his face.

She thought she'd screamed, but no sound escaped her lips. Peeta was laying there with his eyes still shut tight, his throat slit. Blood pooled all around his face, caking the left side of it. He hadn't even woken up. He never saw it coming.

NOT intended to Peeta bash! I LOVE Peeta; he's one of my favorite characters! I'm actually a Peenis fan, but obviously that can't be expressed in a Catoniss fanfiction. Hope you enjoyed, and I can't accurately say when Chapter 1 will be up. Any questions, throw 'em at me! PM or review. Thanks for reading.