A/N: Wow, I haven't updated in a really long time and I'm so sorry for that - nothing was coming to me and it was hard to find time to write with all the schoolwork that was piling up. I'm on my summer now so that won't be a problem anymore. If there are any grammatical errors, don't be shy... just tell me. And erm, I'm sorry if my chapters are short, but that's how I roll. If you want me to make a one-shot, leave a prompt in the reviews, and I'll get right to it. xx

His eyes surveyed his surroundings – the forest. Trees were everywhere, but their branches seemed untouched. He was sure he saw the other boy stalk in this direction. He continued on, sure that he was going to find the boy sooner or later. He didn't exactly know what he would do, but he knew that if the time comes, he would have to kill him and he was ultimately more than fine with that idea. He kept his sword leveled, ready to strike at any moment's notice should anyone surprise him with an attack. He looked around as he moved further into the forest that seemed to go on forever. He kept as silent as possible, listening for any other possible movements aside his own. He had learned a few tricks from when he was with the careers. He was most definitely not going down without a fight. It was his turn to fight back – to kill and he knew it something he could do easily if he wanted to. He could even be stronger than Cato, given the chance to prove it. He was always overlooked and no one thought of him as a threat. Well, he'll show them.

His eyes continued scanning the trees as he stepped over the bushes and branches that blocked his way. There was still no sight of the monstrous boy of District 2. He could've easily been sighted if that were the case, but there was no sign of him. He kept his eyes open, searching for any evidence of his movement to his front, but there was nothing. There was no path that one monstrous Cato could've taken. Odd. He kept scanning what was North of him for any sign of the other, but his eyes found none. Giving up at the direction he was walking, he turned around and found himself, opposite the same boy who he was looking for. Cato wore an amused look, which was directed at Peeta. Peeta mirrored the same expression except the smile didn't reach his eyes.

"It's nice to see me again, isn't it?" Cato asked, raising an eyebrow at him. Cato surveyed the boy; he had grown thinner but more muscular. Peeta gave nothing away. Cato idly wondered what had happened to the cut on his leg. He was sure that he had wounded him in the right place, but seeing him here had made him think otherwise.

"As always, Cato," Peeta answered, laughing at Cato's expression. "Been busy?" He smirked at him, but his smug expression didn't reach his eyes. His eyes grew dark with anger and he was breathing deeper. "Heard you lost every single one of your pack – no one to hide behind now, Cato," Peeta threatened.

Cato's lips were set in a grim line and chose to ignore the latter statement. He stared at Peeta, a smile forming in his face. "As a matter of fact, I have been quite busy." Cato replied, grinning widely. "Of course, you would know." His grin got even wider. Cato watched Peeta fume on the spot, watched as he saw his hand grip the handle of his sword tighter. Cato laughed. "What are you going to do?" Cato smirked at him. "Kill me? Haven't you learned anything from the last attempt?"

"Oh, Cato. You underestimate me too much," Peeta laughed and smirked which was solely directed to him. Cato's eyes narrowed and pursed his lips. "I've learned a few things since your cronies died."

"You sure about that, baker?" Cato said icily, still staring Peeta in the eyes. Peeta's jaw tightened – Cato noticed it and smirked at him. "Have a little temper, Peeta?"

"Oh, what I would do to shut that mouth of yours," Peeta said, furiously. He was crouching much lower, getting ready to attack.

"Oh, your lover beat you to it?" Cato replied with a grin on his face, putting air quotes as needed when he said so. He laughed as he watched Peeta grow red with anger.

"Take that back you, animal!" Peeta shouted, causing the flock of birds to come flying out of the branches above them. "You don't deserve her!" Peeta shouted him with so much anger, it was reminiscent of a growl. His hand clutched his sword tighter. "You never will!"

"I don't have to!" he shouted back, standing more angular, making it seem like he was taller, more carnal. "Don't you understand? She already is mine!" His blood heated as he enunciated each word.

"Yours?" Peeta scoffed. "Ha! Don't make me laugh."

Cato laughed and smiled at Peeta. "Have you kissed her?" Peeta narrowed his eyes as Cato's smile widened. "Felt her body against yours? Made her sigh? Made her knees weak?" Peeta's hand gripped the sword tighter. "No?" He raised his eyebrow, questioning the silent Peeta. "Then what does that make her? Mine."

"THAT DOESN'T MATTER!" Peeta shouted before Cato even finished his sentence. He fought the urge to lunge at Cato and tear his heart out. He was frustrated. He was irritated. Above all, everything in him was ready to explode with rage. He looked at the ground, and took a steadying breath. He ran his hand through his hair, combing it out of his face. At that moment, Peeta decided that she was worth it – that she was just brainwashed by the games, and that she needed him to help her. He made his decision – pushing all the confusion, all the hatred away and making it his sole duty to protect her from all darkness. But the question remains, is she still savable?

"She is mine. She will be mine," he looked up at Cato, his hold on his sword seemed to tighten even more as he regained his composure. He ignored the pain from his grip – that didn't matter to him right now. All he wanted was Cato's blood on his hands. Peeta looked him straight in the eye. "Or do I have to take her away from you?"

"I'd like to see you try," Cato retorted, laughing but the sound of a canon shut him up. His eyes widened and darted towards the direction he came from. "Katniss," he whispered before he felt excruciating pain on his side.

He fell down, grasping his shoulder – blood flowing freely from his shoulder to the ground. A swift kick to his ribs made him howl in agony. Cato anticipated the next kick and grabbed Peeta's leg before it made contact with his body. Cato was too fast for Peeta to even react – Cato twisted his leg, hearing it crack and pushed Peeta away - Peeta's sword being thrown a few feet away. Cato staggered up, his hand not clutching his shoulder to stop it from bleeding.

"I could've made it painless, Peeta – killed you in one snap! I would have been merciful!" Cato growled, spitting at Peeta who was inching away from him, nearer to where his sword had landed. "I will make you feel every bone break from your body; every shallow cut. And I will sit, watching every drop of blood drain from your body."

Peeta felt his sword, and held it. Ignoring the pain from his leg, he stood up – taking a deep breath. He looked up and met the icy glare of Cato; Peeta's probably reflecting the same iciness. "Don't do me any favors," Peeta said, as he stood up straight. The adrenaline had slightly covered the pain coming from his leg. Still, he took no chances. All his weight was on the other leg. Peeta figure his chances were pretty good – he had gotten a good kick at Cato's ribs and the cut on his shoulder didn't seem to be doing him any good. "To the death – yours, preferably."

"To the death," Cato agreed. Both men raised their sword up, ready to strike.

An arrow was shot at that exact moment, and another a few seconds after. One arrow hit Cato's sword (and since it happened out of no where), his sword fell to the ground. The same happened to Peeta. There was a moment of confusion, before they turned their heads to where the arrow was shot.

Katniss stood, pointing her bow, ready to release. She never missed.

A/N: Sorry, not sorry for ending it there. Who is she pointing it at? You'll just have to wait and see. Reviews are welcome. xx