Disclaimer: I do not in any way shape or form own The Hunger Games trilogy or movie franchise. I only own my original characters and ideas. If anything isn't familiar to you, it's probably a work of my imagination.

Prologue.

There was a certain relief that came with being just outside of the Districts. Outside of Panem, where no one could touch you, where you were free to be whomever you wanted.

There were no set rules, descriptions of whom you had to be, how you had to act. You didn't have to worry about all of the poverty and corruption, the sickness and strife.

Living in the Districts, was reality, while living in the Capitol was fantasy.

But, sitting there in the valley just overlooking the meadow, Kade could escape the harsh reality of the world, even if just for a little while.

The brunette just lay there for hours, waiting for the sun to come up, so many thoughts looming in that head of hers. She didn't want to think though, because when she thought she was brought back to the same thought over and over again.

I'm useless.

Every year, in the weeks leading up to the Reaping, the statement plagued her every thought.

She was twenty years old, it would be her second year just standing in the back and watching yet another innocent child be sent away to their death. Her second year holding her breath, and dreading the moment the female tribute was called.

For most, being over the age of eighteen would be a huge relief, but for Kade, it only made her feel useless. She could no longer protect her sisters. She could no longer volunteer in place for Katniss. And now, for Prim.

With a sigh, Kade sat up, feeling an immense wave of guilt wash over her. Normally, she wouldn't abandon her sisters the morning of a Reaping, it being even worse that it was Prim's first time being added to the pool.

She should be comforting her scared little sister, assuring her that everything was going to be okay. But, that morning, as she woke and took a sad glance at her sleeping sisters, Kade couldn't bring herself to say it.

The eldest Everdeen sister couldn't bring herself to lie like that. To tell Prim that everything was going to be fine, and that because her name was only in once, because they would be lies. And Kade never particularly enjoyed lying. Especially to her sisters.

So, instead of whispering sweet nothings and calming Prim in the early morning light, Kade sat alone in the valley past the fences with the dead corpse of a deer just twenty feet from her. Alone with nothing but her screaming thoughts and singing birds to fill the silence.

That is, until a rather large figure came lumbering up the hill, a bag of squirrels hurled over his shoulder.

Gale grinned when he saw the eldest Everdeen with her shoulders slumped and a dead deer to her side. "You just gonna let that thing rot?" He called out as he made his way to her.

"No. I was going to let you have the honor of carrying it for me." Kade said, her voice teasing. Gale's grin grew wider as he plopped himself down next to her, pushing his game bag off to the side.

"You know that you can't sell that. Not today." She nodded. "Where's Catnip?" Kade rolled her eyes at her friend's obvious crush on her sister.

"Katniss." She corrected a smirk on her face, "Is probably hunting."

Gale looked surprised at the shrug Kade gave. "You mean she's not with you?" He asked, his eyebrows shooting up. Kade shook her head, Gale snorting at the response. "Well, that's awfully rare."

Kade smiled, it was true, Katniss had been on her tail ever since they were little, always wanting to have a part in what her 'big sissy' was doing. And fora while, it bugged the hell out of Kade, but over the years she had become delightfully used to it. She was glad that they had such a close relationship.

The older girl's thought took a turn for the worse, though, and she quickly began to think about just how easily that relationship could be destroyed with the simple pick of a slip.

Gale, noting the solemn look on her face leaned over knocking shoulders with her. "They'll be fine." His voice held a commanding tone, urging his best friend to stop worrying so much.

"Do you remember the first year Katniss' name was in that bowl?" Kade questioned, her eyes scanning the valley, deep in thought. And although she couldn't she it, she knew that Gale had nodded.

"We had only just met, but yeah. I remember."

"Well, I knew that everything would be okay. I could honestly tell Katniss that she wouldn't have to go in the games because I made a choice a long time ago, that I would volunteer for her. But, I can't do that for Prim. I'm useless. There is nothing I can do to protect my family now." Kade's voice came out broken, yet no tears left her eyes. Gale had never seen her cry, and today wasn't going to be that day either.

It was silent for a long time. Neither of them knew exactly what to say. Finally, Gale broke the almost painful silence, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "You're not useless Kade, you protect them everyday by hunting so they don't starve. And besides, Prim's name is only in there once. And Katniss will be fine. Everyone will be fine."

"It only takes one slip Gale."

new story! Even though I've read the books, this story will be following the movies. I know this may be a little late considering that the movie franchise has already gotten to Mocking Jay part 2.

No set pairing yet

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