Well, don't kill me :) it's been a while hasn't it! I am really sorry, I blame writers block! However, thank you to all those who reviewed, read and are still continuing to come back even though I left you all for quite some time. HERE WE GOOOOOO...


Chaper 3: Start of the Tour

I open my eyes and I am draped in Cato Greene. He's wrapped all around me like a blanket. He's fast asleep with his head on my chest, his arm over me, holding me close, one of his legs thrown over and hooked around both of mine. His body heat causes my silk nightwear to stick to him and me, and he's heavy.

The first thing I'm aware of is that Cato has spent the whole night with me, just like before, but this time we have the comfort of a bed.

He nuzzles my chest, inhaling deeply as he wakes.

"Good morning," he mumbles, "Sorry." He moves slowly, unpealing himself from me and lies on his back on his side of the bed.

"This is the first time I've slept through." I whisper.

"Yes, me too." He mutters, hiding his face. I suppose it has something to do with 'male pride' and admitting fears. The big Cato Career victor, scared of sleeping.

I lay stiffly for minutes, breathing slowly and deeply. A quick glance at the clock on the bedside table tells me it is in the early hours of the morning. Which for me, is sleeping through. My internal body clock is still used to the early mornings to go hunting. It hasn't quite figured out we're on a long-term holiday right now.

"President Snow came to see me." Cato mumbles quietly.

I turn so that I am laying on my side facing him, "He came to see me as well." I reply.

"The districts are going nuts Katniss," he sighs. "They don't like how we both won, its made them think."

"Snow said they don't believe our feelings?" I question.

"How could they not? We've made it fairly obvious haven't we?" He remarks, "Snow told me it was because they've begun to think that if two can win, why not three? Four?"

"I think we're being told different things." I state.

"Really?" He laughs, "What's it like in your District?" He asks.

"Normal, as if nothing happened." I lie, it was relatively normal. Nothing on the rebellious side, however subtle things had changed. Different people would talk to me, interact with me when they wouldn't have before. Mothers forbid their children from talking to me for I am a sort of monster.

"My district is worshipping my feet." He grumbles.

"Isn't that what you expected?" I snap.

"I didn't expect to feel like this about it." He sighs. He gets up off the bed and goes into the bathroom. Moments later I hear the water of the shower being turned on and him stepping into it.

I roll inelegantly off the bed and slip a pair of soft wool slippers on. I walk out and pad down to his door. I have to knock several times before he answers.

"What do you want?" He says, nearly knocking me out with his alcoholic breath.

"I need to talk to you." I whisper.

"Now?" He says. I nod. "This better be worth it." He waits, but I feel certain every moment on this train is being recorded. Every sound audible.

The train starts to break and for a second I panic. They know what I need to talk about. This is it. But we're just stopping for fuel.

"The trains so stuffy." I say harmlessly, fanning myself.

I watch Haymitch's eyes narrow in understanding. "I know what you need." He pushes past me and down the hall to a door. When he manages to wrestle it open, a hard task for someone so intoxicated, a blast of snowy air hits us. He trips out on to the ground.

A Capitol attendant rushes to help but Haymitch waves her away quickly, "Just need fresh air, only be a minute"

"Sorry. He's drunk." I say apologetically.

"I'll get him." I hop down and stumble along the track behind him, my slippers getting soaked in the slushy wet substance. I wonder whether anyone would know we'd left, the attendant being an Avox wouldn't be able to say anything, and I hardly suspect anyone is up this early. Would they just drive off without us?

When we are beyond the end of the train, unable to be heard, he turns to me.

"Well?"

I tell him everything. About the president's visit, the differences between what we've been told. The uprisings.

"Either way you cannot fail. Snow is scared, he doesn't know what's caused the uprisings, the only thing he knows is that they've started because of you two." He says.

"Why us?" I sigh.

"You've sparked something Katniss" he rubs my shoulders, "What ever it is, Panem is changing. They've all seen that the Capitol can be manipulated. You and Cato are the only two that can put it back." He says. "If you choose to."

The full impact of what he's saying hits me. We have the power to change something once and for all. We can show Panem that we don't have to be ruled by the Capitol, we don't have to offer up children to be slaughtered.

"Do you understand what I mean?" He presses me.

I nod. He means there's only one future for me, if I want to keep those I love alive. I'll have to play Snow at his own game.

We slip back to the train in silence. Haymitch gives me a reassuring glance before going back to his compartment.

In my room, I take off my saturated slippers immediately. Cato is still in the shower, which means I haven't been gone long. I remove my wet robe and pyjamas. I find a shirt that Cato must have dropped last night, not that I remember and shrug it on. There are clothes of mine in the drawers but I can't be bothered.

Without thinking I traipse into the bathroom. I avert my eyes from the shower, although the heat from the shower has fogged up the glass causing it to be opaque. The shower turns off just as I sit myself down on the edge of the bathtub facing away from him.

"I'm sorry." I whisper, knowing he can hear me.

The door opens and I hear him grabbing a towel. I wait five minutes before turning around.

"And you couldn't wait another thirty seconds, no?" He laughs. His blonde hair is darkened by the water and small droplets cling to his upper body.

"No, I couldn't." I say, closing the small gap between us.

He reaches out and pulls me into him.

"This whole things a mess." I mutter into his chest, a place that I am becoming used to.

"Don't you think I've noticed?" He laughs.

"Haymitch said we've caused things to change. That we have the power to start or stop it."

"We can't do it on our own Katniss" he complains.

"Let's do as he says then. It's the only way of surviving," I groan.

We both exit the bathroom and dress. I slip on a clean robe, knowing full well I'm not getting out of pampering again.

Effie taps on the door and is surprised to see Cato in here too. She ushers us to the dining car. Although today is a travel day, we both have to be up early to be made into fine examples of Victors. Really Cato could still be asleep as he doesn't need as much attention as I do, however he still follows Effie.

"Why do I need all this done? I had it done yesterday and it's too cold for anything else to show." I grumble.

"That was just for the station, and it's very warm in District Eleven." Says Effie.

Cato laughs at my scowls behind her back, picks up a piece of toast, kisses me and walks out to find his own escort, mentor and prep team.

District 11 is our first stop. Usually the tour starts off in District 12 and then goes in descending order to 1, followed by the Capitol. The victor's district is skipped and saved for the very last. Since there are two of us, I don't know how the plans will accommodate two Districts being the ones that should be technically saved till last.

"Where's everyone?" I ask.

"Heaven knows where Haymitch is," says Effie. I didn't really expect Haymitch to be here, he's probably still awake drowning himself in a bottle of liquor. "Cinna was up late working on organising your garment car. He must have over a hundred outfits for you. Your evening clothes are exquisite. And Cato's team are with him somewhere."

The door opens and my prep team stumble in. Apparently they never rise before noon unless there is a national event. They knock back coffee and bright coloured pills before they descend upon me, and my leg hair. I was so happy when it grew back in, as if it were a sign of things returning back to normal. Now I hear every strand being yanked from its follicles. After its done I soak in a tub full of a thick, unpleasant-smelling solution, while my face and hair are plastered with creams. Two more baths follow in other, less disgusting concoctions. I'm plucked and scoured and massaged and anointed until I'm raw.

By the time I'm allowed to leave for lunch, Cinna, Effie, Brutus, Haymitch and Cato have started without me. They're all stuffing their faces, but I'm too tired to eat. I play around with a bowl of broth, eating only a spoonful or two. Cato sends me smug smirks when he catches my eye. Knowing he doesn't have to go through the pain I do annoys me more.

A server announces that the train has to stop- some part has malfunctioned. This brings Effie into turmoil, muttering to anyone that will listen about her precious schedule and how we all wont be on time now.

"No one cares Effie." I snap. Immediately everyone stares at me, which is weird as they all get annoyed with her too. "Well, no one does." I snap again rolling my eyes.

I get up and go to find the door Haymitch opened that lead to the outside. When I prise it open an alarm sounds, which I ignore. Had that been placed on it so that they know when I leave the train? Someone must have found out about mine and Haymitch's conversation.

I continue to walk in the brisk cold, hearing footsteps behind me.

"What." I say dismissively. I am in no mood to talk.

"I know its hard, but she really wasn't doing anyone any problems." Cinna says.

"I'm tired that all." I lie.

I know he knows its not the truth, but he doesn't press for it. That's the one thing I've always admired about him. Instead he wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me into a hug. We stay like this for a while.

"Come with me, we need to work on your talent." he smiles to me.

I laugh and follow him back onto the train.

Every victor is supposed to have one. Something you've taken up since it is no longer required for you to work either in school or your district's industry. It can be anything, anything they can interview you about. Finnick Odar, a male victor from previous years can write poetry, Haymitch can drink far more alcohol than anyone I know and still live to tell the tale. I however don't have a talent, unless you count hunting illegally. Which obviously they don't. Effie sent me a list of approved talents that I could try my hand at, flower arranging, playing the flute, sewing. Neither of them proved useful though. Eventually, Cinna stepped in and helped me explore my talent for designing and making clothes. Or rather develop the talent, since it never existed in the first place.

Cinna leads me to a car that has been filled with: mannequins dressed in various outfits; open closets hanging t-shirts, trousers, skirts; shelves lined with rolls of satin, velvet and silk. The oak coffee table has three sketch books laid upon it, making them seem as through they've been left in a hurry. We both take a seat opposite each other.

"You're quite a designer Katniss, I'm impressed." he says with a straight face.

I try to remain passive but I can't. I burst into laughter and so does he. "I must say, I would defiantly give you a run for your money." I say between laughs.

He stands up and heads towards a wardrobe, pulling out a plastic bag that contains whatever I am to wear today. A pretty orange frock patterned with autumn leaves. Like always, it fits perfectly.

Cinna ushers me back to the sofa and begins to braid my hair in an elaborate style very similar to my usual single braid. He touches up my make-up before letting me go.

I find Cato with Effie, going through the day's programme one last time. I smile and sit down/ in some districts the victors will ride through the city while the residents cheer; however, since there isn't much of a city at District 11 the public appearance is limited to just the square. It takes place before their Justice Building, a huge marble structure.

Our entire public performance will be staged outside on what Effie calls the veranda, the tiled expanse between the front doors and the stairs that's shaded by a roof supported by columns. Cato and I will be introduced, the mayor of District 11 will read a speech in our honour, and we'll respond with a scripted thank-you provided by the Capitol. It's also common that if the victor had any allies among the dead tributes that they include a few personal comments as well.

I know that Cato will just stick to the thank-you provided, Thresh was of course part of the alliance that ended Clove's life. The little girl Rue, who was supposed to have the rest of her life ahead of her, now lies dead.

As the train is pulling into the District 11 station, Effie ushers us to the door. I quickly fasten the mockingjay pin I wore in the arena to my dress. There's no welcoming committee in the platform, just a squad of eight Peacekeepers who direct us into the back of an armoured truck. Effie sniffs as the door clanks closed behind us, "For heavens sake, you'd think we are all criminals." she says.

The truck lets us out at the back of the Justice Building. We're hurried inside, I can smell an excellent meal being prepared. They've left us no time to look around. As we make a beeline for the front anthem, I can hear the anthem beginning to play. Someone clips a microphone to me and I have only just got hold of Cato's hand when the doors open.

A smile creeps onto my lips as I see his lips moving, counting the fifteen steps Effie told us to wait before descending ourselves. He looks at me and notices what he's doing, barging me playfully with his shoulder we too make our way down to the veranda. I paint a huge smile on my face.

As usual, a special platform has been constructed at the bottom of the stage for the families of the dead tributes. On Thresh's side, there's only an old woman and a tall muscular girl, who I am guessing was his sister. On Rue's, her parents and five younger siblings, all with sorrow so clearly marked onto their faces.

The applause that I hadn't even noticed begun dies out and the mayor gives the speech in our honour. Two little girls come up with two tremendous bouquets of flowers. Cato and I both take ours gladly, Cato even bends down and gives the girls a kiss on their cheeks. Cato begins his part of the scripted speech and then I find myself concluding it.

The crowd erupt into applause again and the mayor presents us each with a plaque. We both issue our thanks and then that's it. Cato tugs my hand so that I have to turn and face him, plants a kiss on my lips and leads me back up the stairs and into the Justice Building.

"Well, that wasn't that bad." I say.

"It's weird isn't it, how they pretend to like us so easily." he mutters.

"Can you blame them though?" I sigh, "Their sons, daughters, friends and neighbours are dead so that the victor survives. You cant help but hate them."

he pulls me into a hug, wrapping his arms around my waist. "I've always been jealous of whoever it is, even if it is one of my friends." he says, "Now I don't know why I was."

I reach up and give him a kiss, "It's all you've ever wanted, you weren't to know it'd be like this."

"I suppose," he sighs.

"Give it a rest, lets eat." Haymitch grunts to us and we let out a laugh.


Thanks for coming back I guess. For some reason, I could just never get back into this:/ BUT ITS OK BECAUSE NOW I CAN! Although, I can't promise a chapter every week I have work, school, homework blah blah, but I promise you wont have to wait forever again haha! Tell me what you think, I need feedback since I've been away for soooooooooooo long.

LENGTHY REVIEWS ARE REQUIRED AS I MISS READING THEM AND ALSO CAN PEOPLE PM ME BECAUSE I HAVE NO FRIENDS AND I LIKE TAKING TO NEW PEOPLE, IT'S QUITE FUN.

Thank you ever so much for returning!

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