A/N:HEYYYYYYY! Here's another chapter!

I can't believe it took me this long to update...oh well...I was busy writing the first chapter to my other story, The Chocolate Factory, and I say that you guys should read it just because:)

This chapter will start on the train. I made sure it was really long because of the long wait!

REVEIW!

Chapter 4: The Capital

Near's POV:

I woke to the smooth sound of wheels on train tracks and the smell of pancakes. I rubbed my eyes and started to take the night clothes I had on off my body. I looked around the closet and my eyes settled on the door diagonal from the bed I just vacated.

I sleepily walked over to the door and opened it. My eyes widened; there was silk everywhere! It took me a minute to realize that it was all for me. I hastily walked towards a navy blue shirt and picked it up; ruining the nicely made fold. It felt soft in my hands as I slipped it over my thin body; incasing it in cool cloth. I sighed. It felt really nice on me. I looked around until I found a pair of black pants.

The smells of breakfast reached my nose again and I drifted towards the kitchen.

Linda was already there with Rester and Clarisse; chatting happily. I walk towards the table grabbing a bit of toast and butter before sitting down, while a plate of chocolate chip pancakes was set in front of me, and tuning into their conversation.

"Rester, how can Near and I get sponsors?" The blonde man sighed while grabbing the jug of coffee.

"Well," He rubbed the back of his neck, "You have to get people to notice you. Show them your talents and skills," Rester then looked at me, "You need to give them something to remember."

My eyes widened. 'What does he mean? Something to remember...I have no talents unless they have puzzles in the arena...' I ate the rest of my fulfilling breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes before going into the living room area. Linda followed me.

"Yes?" I asked, secretly annoyed.

Linda shuffled her feet slightly before saying, "Do you know what your going to try to do to get sponsors?"

I tilted my head, trying to look like I was thinking about what I could do get some sponsors. In reality, I was mearly thinking of how she's gotten annoying over the years. 'Stress,' I closed my eyes for a moment, 'not her annoying voice and nosiness, definity stress.' Linda leaned in; silently begging for an answer.

For some reason, I really wanted to smack her, "Um, I don't really have any talent besides academics. I don't know how I'll get sponsors."

"Oh," For a few minutes we stood in silence. I looked at her warily, Linda was thinking; that can't be a good thing, right? All of a sudden, she grabs my shoulders and shakes me violently, "I know! I know! We can help you. Clarisse, Rester, and I!"

"Uh, Linda I-,"

"Nonsense, we have the right help you. If you like it or not," Linda jogs out of the living room area to relay her plan to the adults. I sigh, she can be a handful sometimes; at least she cares enough to help me. I looked around the area I was in until I saw a...huge toy chest? Confused, I walked over to it and opened it up. There were toys and puzzles everywhere! I smiled and grabbed a large amount and sat on the floor.

Guess what I did all day long?

I slowly, and tiredly, walked back to my bedroom and slipped into the large shower, in my bathroom, smiling at how everything is some how revolved around me.

'First the pity, now the help...hm...' My thoughts were on this as the warm water fell all over my body; incasing my body. I reached out for the shampoo as another thought reached me, 'Isn't it strange,' I paused, squirting the soapy liquid into my hand, 'how all the people that I want as an ally,' I put the bottle down and then started to massage my head, 'looks like they have some type of strength that I don't have...strange...' I rinse the shampoo out of my hair and turn off the shower. I grabbed a clean towel from the closet and wrap it around me; feeling its warmth as it soaked up the water on my skin. When I was dried off, I pulled on a pair of bright blue pajamas; it reminded me of the boy from District 2's, Mello if I recall, eyes . I smiled softly as I slipped into bed and felt my eyes slowly close as I drifted off to sleep.

When I woke up, I instantly looked out my window; all I could see was trees. Sighing, I pulled down the covers and changed into a pale green shirt and smooth black pants. When I walked into the kitchen, it looked vacant. I guess I was the first one up then because I instantly looked for something edible to eat. As I was searching the cabinets, I heard a small cough coming from the left of me. I turned around. Linda was next to me smiling with a bowl of raw eggs in hand.

How did I not notice that?

She just smiled and turned the oven on, "Can you get me the pan, Near?" Linda pointed to a cabinet. I went to get it, obviously. When I made a move to hand it to her, I heard her hum a tune. I instantly knew what she was singing, The Meadow Song. I remember my mother singing it to me, when I was very young, while I was on my father's lap playing with the another new toy that he made me. I start to quietly sing along with her.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow
A bed of grass, a soft green pillow
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.

Here it's safe, here it's warm
Here the daisies guard you from every harm
Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away
A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray
Forget your woes and let your troubles lay
And when again it's morning, they'll wash away.

Here it's safe and here it's warm
And here the daisies guard you from every harm
And here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true
Here is the place where I love you.

The smell of scrambled eggs flew into my face as I looked up at Linda. She looked at me in shock before placing the last of the eggs onto a plate and beckoned me to come with her to the dining area. She set my plate down as I silently sat down in a seat. We both sat and ate in silence for a few minutes until I felt Linda's gaze on me.

"I didn't know you could sing," She states quietly. I pause; my hand in mid-air with a piece of the eggs ready to go into my mouth.

"Um," I quickly ate the piece of food, "about that...my mother used to sing to me every night and she taught me the song you were singing to before she died."

"Oh," She looked up, "I'm sorry about your mother," Linda smiled at me, "You're very good, maybe we can use that as an advantage!" Her grin grew wider as she took another bite of her breakfast.

'So she hasn't forgotten about that,' I smiled as Rester came out and went to make some type of coffee. Clarisse came out as soon as it started to smell like the beverage.

"Is that coffee I smell," She mumbled as Rester handed her a large cup of the liquid. Another mumble was given, this one of thanks, as a calm silence bloomed.

Linda broke the silence, unfortunately to me.

"Do you know that Near's a really great singer?" Clarisse looked up, a smile was on her face.

"That's great!" The green faced, she was wearing green today, woman looked at me, "All we need now is to see if you have some type of physical strength."

I mentally groan. Will they ever understand...

"What about Linda," I directed the conversation to the girl next to me before they start talking about weapons.

"Oh, me?" Linda smiles, "Don't you remember, Near, I'm a very good artist and I can use a knife pretty well since my father used them a lot." I nodded, I forgot that her father was the butcher in town.

"That's good, for you," I looked at the two adults across from us, "Now how are you all going to help me..."

This went on well into lunch time and let's say, we didn't make that much progress.

As we all ate the last bite of our lunch, Clarisse jumped up and gave a squeal as she rushed to a window, "Look!" We all went to the window, "We're almost at the Capital!" Linda and I got a glimpse of the city before everything became dark outside; we went into a tunnel. Soon Clarisse was babbling nonsense about what we needed to do and what not. Linda then gave an exciting squeak.

Outside the train was a swarm of people. If I you thought that Clarisse was dressed up to much, with green blush and everything, that would be an understatement to those waiting for us at the train station. There were colors that I have never seen before in my life; all of these shades of pinks, yellows, oranges, blues, greens, purples, reds and colors in between. I can't start to describe what all of those people were wearing to begin with. Some type of steampunk fashion maybe...

Soon, the train rolled to a stop and a door opened to our right. Clarisse guided us, nicely, to the door where some Officials were there to guide us out of the excited mob. As soon as Linda and I were out of the train, people bombarded our, my, personal space.

"OMG!..."

"Your from District 12 right..." I looked at Linda quickly. She must have heard that comment to because she had that wow-your-stupid look on her.

"OH! They're so cute, especially the boy!..." My eyes widened slightly, 'I'm cute?'

All of these comments were thrown at us as we were guided to a sleek black car. Clarisse whispered something to the driver and we all were whisked away from the crazy Capital civilians. After ten minute of looking at shiny buildings and overly dressed people, the car stopped at a building. Clarisse came out first the grabbed both Linda's and my hands and took us inside.

Mello's POV:

Everything was blurry. All I could hear was a timer counting down. Boom, Boom. My head feels like it is about to explode. I look around the hazy landscape. There were other figures, but I could only see a few clearly. They all looked like they were about to run. I could see the timer clearly now; it showed fifteen seconds left. I tried to move; my body felt like it was glued to the ground. I looked around for help, but no one was looking at me. Ten seconds. I tried to talk, scream, anything. No one looked at me except a white haired boy. Five seconds. My vision was get worse; I squinted my eyes. The boy looked like he was shaking his head. I tried to ask why; one second.

Chaos happened.

People were running, blood was spilled. Evil laughter echoed through out the area. I tried to run, but I still couldn't move. A girl comes up to me, knife in hand. She pushes me down on the ground; knocking the breath out of me. I hear a distant scream and another person yelling something. I couldn't think, my brain was dead. The girl smirked and I could feel the blade at my neck. She brought her head to my ear; I could feel her cold, harsh breath.

"Remember what I said about being careful especially in the arena?" My eyes widened; it was Takada. I tried to scream; I tried to get away from her. Takada narrowed her eyes, "That won't do," She stabbed my shoulder, "Don't try to get away from me or you precious allies," She cut my chest and brought the blade to my abdomen leaving a bloody trail in its wake, "will have the same fate as you," Takada lifted to knife up and plunged it in my chest. She twisted the dagger while I screamed my silent scream. Takada looked into my eyes, "Goodbye Mello. I hope to kill those other two for you." I let out a string of unheard curses until everything around my started to fade...

My eyes opened; I was breathing hard. My hand unconsciously went to my chest; there was no blood. I sighed, 'It was only a dream. A fucking very realistic dream.' I climb out of my warm bed meeting a very cold room. I shuddered, 'Why is it like a fucking ice box in here?' I grab my leather pants while slipping my leather vest; ignoring the satin clothes that were placed in a chair across from my bed. I was half way down the hall when a foul stench hit me. I gagged looking towards the kitchen. As I walked into the room, I see Whitney humming a cheerful tune while eating the food in front of her. I sat down diagonal from her; the foul smell hit me again.

'Why is she so fucking cheerful and what is that god damn smell,' The smell seemed to be coming from the Capital chick.

Realization hit me, 'It's the fucking perfume, always that shity perfume.'

I mental gagged as I grabbed a boatload full of chocolate chip pancakes. Just as I was about to eat a large mouthful, I had the sudden feeling that someone else was eating chocolate pancakes too. I shrugged it off, eating the food in front of me, 'Of course people are eating this; in the Capital,' I ate another bite as Ross and Takada came to the table; they were in deep conversation.

"...So I have to do..."

"...Yes, in order..." That was all I pretty much processed in my sleepy brain of mine. I looked up at them as they sat down and began to eat. Takada looked like she was about to say something when she noticed me.

Am I that hard to notice?

"Mello."

"What up?" Hey I was tired, that was all I could think of. Ross looked up from his food.

"Hey foo'," I gave him one of my I-am-half-asleep-what-the-fuck-do-you-want looks.

He didn't notice it.

Instead he continued to talk, "I was talking to Kiyomi earlier about sponsors and individual strengths,"

"And..." I continued.

"'an, I need to know your strengths 'an how yo' going to get sponsors, understand foo'," He smiled and stuffed at least twenty pancakes in his mouth. I still looked at him; Whitney stopped humming her cheery tune. All eyes were one me.

"Ok," I looked at my empty plate, "Well I am very good with guns," Whitney's eyes widened, "swords," Takada glared at me, "and javelin," Ross gave me a smile, "Sort of," His smile faltered the slightest. They all were about to finish their food, "Wait, I'm not finished," They stopped, "I'm very smart and can figure out how to get out of tight spaces and what not." I look at Takada, "What about you, it's only fair."

She glared at me, "I am a master at knives and I am very fast and flexible." I nodded, pulling out a chocolate bar. Ross looked at it as I took a large bite from the delicious sweet.

"I see yo' like those foo'," I glared at him.

"And what's your point?" I finished that bar and pulled out another one.

"My point?" Wow...just wow.

"Yes your fucking point. What's wrong about me eating my god damn chocolate?"

"They will most likely not be in the arena." I looked up, dropping my chocolate.

"What?"

"Unless," He starts quickly.

"What!?"

"You get some-"

"WHAT!?" I was ready to burst. I can't live without chocolate, it's like a drug to me. A delicious, sweet drug.

"-sponsors, unless yo' get a lot of sponsors." My anger disappeared and I soon realized that I was standing up and in Ross's face; fucking great. I sat down and picked up my chocolate bar that was on the table. Whitney and Takada looked at Ross and I; Ross himself looked calm. Way to calm. After about four minute of tense, awkward silence, save for the me eating chocolate loudly, he spoke up, "That temper of yo's will never get yo' sponsors foo'," We all looked at him dumbfounded.

That was not what I was expecting.

He smiled at me and rose from the table. He looked at me before going back to his room, Whitney following him, "We'll help yo' with that though." Takada left soon after, not forgetting to give me a glare. I just sat there for a few more minutes until I resided to my room to watch the recaps of previous years for the rest of the day.

I woke up with a jolt.

No I didn't have another nightmare...I had a dreamless sleep. It was actually really refreshing.

I woke up like that because someone was banging on my door. That someone was Takada; I'm ninety-seven percent sure. I pulled on my leather pants and vest as the banging became louder.

"I'm coming god damnit!" I opened the door, it was Takada alright and she looked royally pissed.

"What took you so long?"

"God Takada, I was asleep not even a minute ago. What the fuck do you want." I knew I pissed her off more because her left hand twitched like she was going to smack me or something. Women, they're always so violent when it comes the being on time.

"We are almost at the Capital," She spat pivoting towards the kitchen, "You better get something to eat," She yelled as she walked away.

"Whatever, bitch," I murmured before walking to where she was going. When I go into the kitchen, Whitney, Takada, and Ross were at the window looking at the city ahead of us. I decided to have toast with butter as I looked out of the window next to their's. All I saw was a bunch of moving colors; Ok? Weird? As the train slowed down I realized that it was a bunch of people on bright colored clothes. They looked like clowns or something of that sort. Also some of the women looked slutty, but not as slutty as that girl from District 1. The train stopped and Whitney guided us out of the train to some Officials that took us to a nice looking car; it was blue and sleek, I liked it. While we were walking to the car I heard the mob around us whisper comments about me and Takada.

"Are they from District 2?..."

"Look at the boy, he's so hot..." I shuddered at that thought for no reason. Maybe because I heard it from a chick that looked like some deranged clown, "...And Badass!" I smirked, I liked that comment.

"That girl looks angry..."

"Who do you think will die first, I say the girl..." Takada looked pissed again from that comment.

After ten minutes of 'sight seeing' with Whitney, the car stopped at building. She went out first the grabbed our hands and guided us to the building; I'm not looking forward to what's behind those doors.

A/N: I think that I made the part with Near and Linda on the train alone together a little to lovey-dovey...did I? Oh I don't know, it doesn't matter at the moment.

Hahaha! *Laughing to hard that I fell of the bed for no apparent reason* I JUST had to add the pancake thing in, I love giving Mello that sense of Déjà vu:)

Am I making Near a little to OOC? Someone tell me!

Was there a kitchen on the train in the movie, because I had no other place to put the Meadow Song in...

Note to the People of the World: I am very bad at saying/typing slang words so if I messed up on something please tell me!

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