Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own the Hunger Games, or any of the associated characters.
Summary: See Previous Chapters.
Chapter Two
Thresh knew that the District 11 escort was partially responsible for helping them and getting sponsors, so killing him would be counter-productive.
That didn't make it any less tempting.
Of course the Careers didn't get any special treatment – other than spending years training at a special academy designed specifically for them to win the Hunger Games. Of course he and Rue shouldn't eat too much before training – even though this was the first time either of them had even seen a three-course meal.
And if he looked at Rue like that one more time, Thresh would punt him straight out the stained-glass window! At least the Stylists and Prep teams had backed off.
Did all of the other Tributes have to put up with this?
Thresh knew that his biggest advantage would be his physical strength, but he knew that the Trainer was right when she pointed out that the Survival Stations would be just as useful. He had seen, too many times, what happened when people were ill or injured, and didn't have or couldn't afford medicine.
Katniss was spending most of her time at the Survival Stations, too, tying knots, and identifying herbs, but she also spent time at the Archery Station.
She was only there ten or fifteen minutes at a time, but she returned frequently, and it seemed to Thresh that she was not learning, so much as re-adjusting to a different kind of bow.
Thresh couldn't help but smile to himself as he prepared to start climbing, then paused as he realized that Rue was no longer at the Knife Station where he had left her.
He started to look at the other stations when shouting broke out.
The Career boy from District 2 was stalking angrily toward another boy, accusing him of stealing a knife. The other, from District 6, replied with equal heat, shoving him as Peacekeepers ran to separate them.
Looking away from the confrontation between the Career and the other boy, shaking his head, Thresh saw Katniss looking up at the webbing near the roof. Rue was lying there, smiling mischievously as she toyed with the missing knife. Restraining himself to an amused grin rather than the booming laughter that was trying to break loose, Thresh caught the eye of the Girl on Fire, exchanging gleeful looks before they both looked up at Rue.
Abandoning his place at the rope-climbing station, Thresh walked over to where Katniss was tying knots. "Would you like to sit with us at lunch?"
Katniss looked surprised, but gave him a shy smile. "Sure. I look forward to it."
Peeta was still avoiding her, so Katniss had no problem with sitting with District 11. With Rue, who reminded of her of Prim with practically every gesture. With Thresh, who reminded her of herself, with the way he looked out for his partner, glaring at anyone who tried to intimidate her and making sure that she ate enough.
It was a new feeling, the way her stomach fluttered when he looked at her, with respect and admiration, or in some shared emotion. Her heart had leapt when they swapped amused glances when Rue stole the knife, both from glee and from the warmth in his eyes.
She wouldn't think about the possibility that she might have to fight them for her life. "You know, the Careers aren't the only ones who can form alliances."
Thresh put down his fork. "Eat your vegetables, Rue. Are you offering?"
Katniss smiled gently at the absent comment. "Yes. We stand a good chance working together. Are you accepting?"
Rue beamed up at her District Partner, mouth full of carrot, and Thresh gave her the same gentle smile that Katniss had. "Yes. So what's the plan?"
Rue swallowed her food. "I've been watching the other Tributes. The Careers are good with weapons, but if we get them away from survival supplies, they'll be helpless. The girl from District 5 looks like a Scavenger. She'll probably try to lie low while everyone else tries to kill each other off. The boy from 3 is good with electronics, so he'll probably try to make himself useful to whoever he thinks will keep him alive."
Katniss was impressed. "Well, you're certainly a mine of useful information. I can hunt, and I know how to survive in the woods."
Thresh nodded. "I'm strong and I know how to fight in a brawl. I have the best chance of surviving the Bloodbath."
Under the watchful eye of both her allies, who seemed to automatically take over the role of the parents that Rue had lost when she was six, the youngest of the three speared another carrot with her fork. "I'm fast and a good climber, so I can grab something and meet you away from the Cornucopia."
Despite herself, Katniss started to feel hopeful. "My mentor said to try and find water. Rue and I will grab supplies and get to shelter, and then we'll see which direction you went and find you. Hopefully there will be a bow, but I can make one if there isn't."
Thresh nodded again, slower as he considered. "Leave the weapons to me. When you get to shelter, climb as high as you can, most people either look down or ahead." He gave Rue an affectionate look. "Rue can run through trees like the branches are solid ground, and I'll head in the direction I see you go."
A bell rang, signalling the end of lunch, and they went back to the training room, side by side.
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A/N: People in my other stories have criticised me for nagging about Reviews, so I figure you deserve an explanation. I associate 'review' with 'job well done', so seeing a review in my inbox tells me that I'm doing well. Lack of reviews is discouraging, and I'm mildly ashamed to admit that the belief that my work is not worth reading has been part of the reason for several stories remaining incomplete for a long time.
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, and I'll try to have the next one up soon.
Thanks
Nat
