Full Summary: The Hunger Games: a place of killing and betrayal. What if something came out of all that hate and death? What if the looks Cato and Katniss exchanged during the movie meant more? Attraction and not hate? During her journey into falling for the ever-gentle Peeta, Katniss discovers someone who can be her equal. Strength meets...strength. Fire meets...fire. Oh Peeta...you better watch out.

A/N: Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games. The inspiration for this story is: Death Zone by Apocalyptica. You can look it up on YouTube or Spotify or whatever you use. All outfits are on my profile.

Reviews are always appreciated!

Rating: M


Chapter Two


Primrose Everdeen. Primrose Everdeen. Primrose Everdeen.

Katniss is frozen, disbelief radiating through her.

One time.

Prim's name is only in there one time.

What are the odds of her name being chosen?

Everyone is shuffling backwards, moving away from the startled little blonde and rage ignites in Katniss. Effie scans the crowd, clueless about Primrose Everdeen. The Capitol representative has never stuck around long enough to recognize people. Why would she? That would mean she would actually have to be human.

"Primrose Everdeen? Where are you?" Effie sing-songs into the microphone . "Come forward, please." Effie calls, glancing at the large screens. Katniss knows it is because this is being broadcasted live to the Capitol. The Peacekeeper's boots sound loud as they stomp on the ground, four of them heading over to Prim.

Katniss begins pushing through the crowd, struggling in her hurry to get to her little sister. All of her grace has left her as she elbows a few bony ribs, trying to get to Prim.

One of the Peacekeepers grabs Prim's arm and she gives a little scream. Prim tugs against the arm, her wide, scared blue eyes searching for Katniss.

"No!" Prim screamed, fear making her voice high. "Katniss! Katniss!" Primrose screams and finally the crowd begins moving out of Katniss's way. Fierce, protective anger flares in Katniss and she bursts out of the crowd. "No! Please, Katniss!" Prim screams, her eyes locking on Katniss. "No!" Prim screams, struggling against the Peacekeepers. She beats against his arm and kicks her feet but he continues to drag her to the stage. "No! Katniss! Katniss, help!" She screams, fear in her voice.

"Stop!" Katniss shouts, a comanding ring to her voice. Her dark gray eyes are fierce and Prim falls limp, relief etched on her face; secure in the knowledge her big sister will never let anything bad happen to her. "Stop!" She calls again, striding out and on to the path. "I volunteer!" Katniss's voice rings out cold and true, steel lining her words. She feels numb, like she is blocked in by cotton and all she can see is the fear and relief in Prim's eyes. "I volunteer as tribute!" Katniss sets her expression into one of pure, ferocious, unbridled anger when the Peacekeepers stop but don't let go of Prim. "Let her go. I volunteer as tribute." Katniss repeats, her expression cold and harsh.

"Oh my! It seems we have volunteer!" Excitement rings in Effie's voice as the Peacekeepers release Prim and she falls to the ground. Without hesitating, Katniss darts forward and scoops up Prim. The little blonde buries her face in Katniss's shoulder, shaking with fear and sobs.

"Katniss, you can't!" Prim cries and Katniss shakes her head, grey eyes serious as she stares at her.

"I have to, Prim. I promised to protect you. Remember?" Katniss smiles softly, her whole face glowing with adoration as she strokes Prim's cheek and tucks a lock of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Katniss. Katniss. Please, no!" Prim pleads, wide blue eyes tearing at Katniss's heart. She looks down at Primrose with unbridled love and adoration.

"Prim." Katniss mummers but she just cries 'no' again. "Primrose." Katniss says, harder this time as the Peacekeepers begin to move forward and she falls silent, her fingers twisted into Katniss's dress. "Little duck, little duck." Katniss gives her a soft smile, her eyes shadowed with sorrow. "I need you to go to mother." She tell her and Prim starts to shake her head. "Prim." Katniss say firmly. This is her 'do as I say with no arguements' look. "Go to mom. Remember, little duck, you can come see me after the ceremony." Katniss reminds her, climbing to her feet and setting the tiny blonde down.

Primrose hesitates but as the Peacekeepers draw nearer, she shakily nods. Katniss cups her face with a hand and brush a soft, sweet kiss on her forehead. Prim leans into her, closing her eyes. Katniss clenches her own eyes shut for a second before opening them.

"Don't worry, Catnip." Gale says, reaching out for Primrose. "You go." He says, his voice fierce with pride and sorrow. His dark face betrays the complete anger and helplessness he is feeling. He nods encouragingly at Katniss, gently picking up Prim and holding her to him. He discretely taps two fingers to her shoulder and she nods, knowing he will take care of Prim.

Katniss meets his light grey eyes, seeking comfort for one moment before nodding. Raising her chin and fighting to keep the screams and tears back, she gives on last glance to Prim before turning and walking.

"Katniss!" Primrose cries and Katniss has to fight to keep from turning around, hiding her clenched fists in the folds of the dress. The sheer terror in Prim's voice...Katniss's expression wavers and betrays burning rage before it is hidden and cool detachment is in its place.

She slowly walks up the path. She walks past the Garrow twins. They clutch each other with wide brown eyes. She walks past Angelica, a girl in her History class. She passes Rory and Vick, Gale's younger brothers. She passes the other grime-smeared faces and reaches the stairs to the stage. She pauses, staring but sets her shoulders and raises her chin.

I am an Everdeen. I am strong. I can do this.

The chant rings through her mind as she slowly moves up the stairs, her every step sounding like a cannon in the complete silence. She finally reaches the top and slowly walks over to Effie and even she, adorned in the Capitol attire can tell this is a momentous occasion.

Here in District 12, no one ever volunteers.

Katniss walks to her and to the side, facing the crowd with a blank face. Inside, she is wailing and breaking down...but Katniss cannot show that. A burn in her eyes tells herself the tears want to fall, but Katniss is not the type to throw a fit or even cry. So she squashes them mercilessly. To stay strong, she focuses on Gale. His face is blank, but Katniss can see the silent support he is giving, standing beside her mother and Prim.

Effie hesitates before forcing a wide smile.

"Well isn't this wonderful?" Effie calls, beaming into the blank and silent crowd. Her magenta smile falters as she glances behind her. "This has not happened before! There is protocol but-"

"What does it matter?" The mayor asks bitterly. He's looking at Katniss with a pained expression on his face. He doesn't know her really, but there's a faint recognition there. Everyone knows Prim and Katniss is the hunter. She defies the Capitol on a daily basis every time she goes into the woods. She is the girl who goes to school with his daughter. The girl who five years ago stood huddled with her mother and sister, as he presented her, the oldest child, with a medal of valor. A medal for her father, vaporized in the mines. Does he remember that? "What does it matter?" he repeats gruffly. "Let her come forward."

"Wonderful! Now, what is your name?" Effie asks brightly and Katniss stares out at the crowd, her gray eyes dull. The question rings in her ears but she doesn't answer, feeling lost and unsure. Effie hesitates, glancing at the crowd and back. "What is your name?" Effie asks again, a more insistent edge to her tone.

Reacting instantly, Katniss turns her head to the Capitol woman and pins her in place with a look of such derision and burning anger, Effie can do nothing but stare.

"My name-" Katniss begins, unyielding steel lining her words. "Is Katniss Everdeen." It takes everything in Katniss to remain composed. She knows in the replays to night that the other Tribute's will be watching this. Katniss will not be seen as an easy target because she must come home to Prim.

Effie's eyes are wide but because of guilt and shock or fear, Katniss can't really tell. Ignoring Effie, she faces forward and her eyes immediately find Gale and Prim.

"I bet that was your sister. Don't want her to steal all the glory, do we?" Effie jokes and Katniss clenches her fists behind her back, desperately fighting the urge to attack Effie. "Come on, everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!" Effie calls, smiling brightly for the cameras.

After a moment, she turns to the crowd when no one claps. Then, one by one, the people of District Twelve kiss their three middle fingers and raise them in salute. Katniss stares, recognizing the gesture of respect for what it is. The salute strikes something deep within her and Katniss kisses her three fingers before saluting back.

There is overwhelming silence and Effie fidgets beside Katniss, stunned and confused about the sudden change in the people of District Twelve. Haymitch suddenly climbs to his feet, wobbling forward but before he can say anything, the Mayor moves forward and ushers him back.

The silence is almost deafening and Effie gives a little cough into the microphone.

"And now for the male Tribute!" She calls, moving over to the large glass bowl and plucking a name out. "Peeta Mellark!" She calls, and immediately the boys turn and look at him. Katniss stares, a memory flashing in her mind. Peeta...the boy with the bread. Dread roils through Katniss at the remembrance and she clenches her jaw, grey eyes flinty as a stunned Peeta is escorted up on the stage.

No, the odds are not in my favor today. Katniss thinks sardonically. How did this day go so wrong? She was supposed to eat with Prim and Mother. Gale and her were supposed to meet at the fence, their eyes conveying an endless relief at escape from the Reaping, like they do every year.

This was not supposed to happen.

Peeta stands on the other side of Effie, his wide blue eyes shocked. His ashy-blonde hair is combed neatly back and his face is pale as he stares into the crowd.

-starving hunger gnawing at my insides. Collapsing against a tree outside a bakery...and then the boy with the bread tosses some to me and I know we will survive.-

"-shake hands!" Effie trills and steps away, letting Katniss and Peeta turn to each other. Peeta meets Katniss's gaze and holds out his hand. It is strong and worn from working in the bakery and Katniss grips it, closing herself off from the memory of him. The fear is growing in Katniss's heart as the finishing comments are done and the Peacekeepers step forward to escort the two into the Justice Building behind them.


~-Fan-the-Flames-~


Effie drones on about something but Katniss tunes her out, grateful when the Peacekeepers usher her into a room alone.

This is the time when her family will be allowed a few minutes with her. District Twelve is the farthest from the Capitol so even with the enhanced speed on the trains, it will be the longest ride to their destination. They won't have much time together. Katniss sits down in on of the velvet chairs, staring blankly outside. The sky is gray with heavy looking clouds above.

It matches her mood perfectly.

Katniss isn't allowing herself to cry though. She still has to see Prim and there will be more cameras at the train. If the other Tributes see her eyes red from tears...it can't be allowed to happen. All she allows herself is a relaxing of her shoulders, resting her head in her hands.

Despair and fear cloud Katniss until she feels like she is drowning in it.

She takes in a deep, shuddering breath.

Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out.

The familiarity of it is comforting to her and she straightens her shoulders and raises her chin.

I will not be broken.

The door rattles before swinging open and admitting Prim and mother. Katniss's eyes land on Prim and she opens her arms as Prim launches herself at her. Closing her arms around Primrose, Katniss buries her face in Prim's hair and allowing herself to just be.

Then, Katniss takes a deep breath and moves to the couch.

"Prim. Primrose." Katniss stands Prim in front of her, grey eyes intent. "Little Duck, I am going to need you to be brave." Katniss tells her, sorrow coloring her tone. She never wanted Prim to be put in this position. "I need you to be strong." Katniss tells her and she nods. "But don't be like me. Be your own kind strong. Okay?" Katniss tucks a finger under her chin and raise her face to her own. "You can cry. You can laugh. You can pick flowers. I just need you to be a little stronger. You need to take care of your wretched cat." Katniss mock-scowl at Prim and she lets out a small giggle. A soft smile crosses Katniss's lips and she look at Prim with adoration. "Do not take any tesserae. If you are careful like I taught you, you can get by selling your goat milk and cheese. There is a package on your bed. It has some seeds in it. I want you to start the garden you wanted. There are seeds for turnips, wild chives, garlic and even a few carrots." Katniss says and Prim nods, tears glinting in her blue eyes and slipping down her cheeks.

Her gentle soul is not made for killing and Katniss knows now more than ever that she did the right thing.

"Just try to win? Please?" Prim begs and Katniss nods, trying to be strong for her. For Prim.

"You might be able to earn some money by offering to run messages for the Peacekeepers, but I want you to be careful." Katniss tells her sternly. "They are the Capitol people and you need to make sure you stay safe." Prim nods and sniffs as more tears stream down her cheeks.

Katniss pulls Prim into another hug and turns to her mother.

"You. You need to be strong. You need to be my kind of strong. You need to be a mother." Hurt and guilt flash in her eyes but Katniss gives no mercy. "You cannot fade away like you did before. The small apothecary business you now run for the people in the Seam will be your main source of income. Make sure you are careful in what you use and how you price things. You will need to keep an eye on the food supply and make sure you don't run out. Gale will get you the herbs you don't grow yourself, but you must be very careful to describe them because he's not as familiar with them as I am." Katniss pauses and takes a breath before leveling her with a steady look. "But above all, Primrose is your first concern. You make sure nothing happens to her. Her safety is in your hands now. Make sure you don't let her, or me down." Katniss tells her and she nods, gently reaching out and pressing a small kiss on Katniss's cheek.

"I promise you I will take care of her." Her blue eyes are steady and strong but Katniss still can't bring herself to trust her mother fully. She nods curtly and turns to Prim, sweeping her into a big hug.

"I love you, little duck. Never forget that." Katniss whispers to Prim. Her bony arms wrap tightly around Katniss and Prim buries her head in her neck.

"I promise!" She cries. "I promise I won't ever forget! I love you Katniss."

"You take your medicine." Katniss remembers and orders her mother. After she came out of her daze, she cured others that had retreated into themselves. Her medicine will keep her sane. She nods and Katniss hugs Prim tighter. "Take care of her." Katniss's voice is just pleading now.

"You can win." Prim says strongly, her blue eyes showing some of her fierceness. "Just try?" Prim begs and Katniss nods, pressing another kiss to her head.

"Really, really try. I swear it." She promises. And she knows, because of Prim, she will have to. Katniss will have to do things. Unforgivable things. Katniss steels her heart and pulls Prim's face up. "Primrose, there is going to be things I will have to do. Things I don't want you to see. I will have a code word for you. If I ever say 'lucky' I want you to turn away and cover your ears. Leave if you have to but do not look or listen until I say the word again. Mother or Gale will let you know. Okay?" Katniss's voice is urgent and Prim nods. "Do you promise me?" Katniss asks, hating the desperation in her own voice.

"I promise." Her voice cracks and she hugs Katniss again. "Wear this? To keep you safe." Prim presses something into Katniss's hand and then the Peacekeeper is at the door, signaling time is up and they are gone.

Katniss opens her hand and there is a necklace. A small, jagged grey stone has a hole in it and a black cord put through and tied into a necklace with Prim's mockingjay pin pinned through the cord right by the stone. Katniss's throat tightens and she struggles to hold back her tears. Prim found this stone with her. She took it from the small river because in the light, it sparkled and she said it reminded her of Papa's eyes. Never one for wearing jewelry, Katniss wraps it around her wrist into a bracelet and it rests cool against her skin.

She buries her head in one of the velvet pillows as if this can block the whole thing out. Closing her eyes, she tries to imagine a time when her father was alive and she didn't hate her mother. A time when Prim was so tiny and all she could do was babble in baby talk.

The wait is taking a toll on Katniss and she rises, moving over to the door. She rests a careful hand on the nob and just as she begins to turn it, it pushes open.

Gale is here.

"Gale!" Katniss steps forward and he wraps her into a hug. Taking strength from the comfort, Katniss takes a deep breath.

"You can do this." Gale says strongly and Katniss nods into his shoulder before pulling back. "You need to find a bow, show them what you can do." Gale orders and Katniss sighs.

"They don't always have bows, Gale!" Katniss retorts and Gale nods, determination flaring in his eyes.

"They will if you show then what you can do with one. I don't care what it takes, ally with the Careers if you need to but you need a bow. You are a hunter and you can win this." Gale says and Katniss nods.

"Gale. I gave Prim a code word. I want you to have one. If there is something I need to do and I don't want you to see it, promise me you won't look!" Katniss asks, grasping his vest. "If I say-"

"Catnip. Use 'Catnip' and it is really important, just use our salute." He says softly, cutting her off.

"But that doesn't make sense!" Katniss protests and he smiles grimly.

"It will to me and that is all that matters." Gale says and she pauses before nodding and he wraps her in a hug again. Clutching him closer, Katniss feels a flash of panic. How can she do this without him? He is her hunting partner and Katniss has grown used to leaning on him. The door opens and the Peacekeeper is there. "You can do this, Katniss!" Gale calls and then the door is closed.

She can do this.

She will do this.

For Prim.