AN:So… I've never been so eager to write another chapter for a fanfic… I was literally smiling at work yesterday just from the prospect of writing this chapter today. Haha. This chapter shows Brutus being something other than a brute. And it shows that Haymitch still has a sense of humor that isn't morbid. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter!


Coming together Peacefully

After the incident in the square, a fairly tall man came jogging up while frowning. He had an olive skin tone with grey eyes, suggesting that he was the small female's father.

"Katniss… please don't tell me that you caused a fight…"

The tiny girl, who was still on the ground from her previous scuffle, looked up into matching eyes before huffing.

"He said that we were dirty and rude!"

A snort was heard from the blonde next to her while he held his nose. Honestly, it wasn't like the fight was his fault, it was that entire girl's fault. And he still stood by what he had said earlier! District twelve was dirty and obviously the citizens had no manners. She hadn't even apologized for running into him and she had punched him!

Sighing, the man picked the small girl up while squatting in front of her. He brushed her yellow festival dress off and frowned.

"Now Katniss, apologize to this young man."

"But!"

"Katniss Sagittaria Everdeen."

The small child gulped before looking down at her feet and scowling. That was when she knew she would be in deep trouble. If her father or mother ever used her full name she knew that she should do as told.

"Sorry…"

Cato huffed before Brutus slapped him upside the head. He yelped a bit before apologizing as well, even though he didn't see why he had to apologize to her.

The two went their separate ways and shot dirty looks at each other. They both had the same fleeting thought. If they ever crossed paths again, the other would be sorry.


Cato

I can't believe that Brutus made me apologize to that district twelve brat! I was going to be a victor! I was already in-training. I was going to be the most powerful and feared tribute ever! I shouldn't have to apologize to a brat from the mines!

I looked up at Brutus, sulking all the while.

"Why did I have to apologize to her?"

I almost wanted to take back that question when the intimidating figure of my soon-to-be trainer and mentor turned to look down at me, a frown on his face.

"You had to apologize because I'm sure that she was not the only one at fault for your little… incident."

"Maybe not, but she started the actual fight!"

Brutus sighed and looked down at me, something akin to disappointment on his face. I hated when grown-ups were disappointed in me… especially grown-ups like Brutus or my mom. It always made me feel guilty.

"You've got to learn… while we may be the best for the games; everyone has a place in this world. You'll be the greatest tribute and she'll be great in her own right. Once you become a victor, what if you need assistance from her? You'll be screwed kid. Alliances aren't only in the arena, but in life as well. You'll do well to remember that, Cato."

So, I should make an alliance with her? Maybe become friends so that if I ever need help in the future, she'll help me if we're on good terms? It seemed stupid… making friends with some random brat from twelve, but who knows… Brutus has more knowledge than I do because he's older… I guess tomorrow I'll try to make nice with that girl… even though it was still all her fault for getting me in trouble.


Katniss

I gripped tightly onto Daddy's hand as we walked to the Seam. He looked kind of disappointed… I knew why though, he'd told me time and time again about my temper. He also said that it could get me into a lot of trouble in the future. What kind of trouble? I didn't want to know.

"Daddy… I'm sorry… I just wanted to find you to see if we could go to the meadow… even if it was just for a few minutes…"

I whispered as tears started to prick my eyes and my throat closed up a bit. I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't appear weak while walking with my daddy.

"Katniss… honey…"

Daddy stopped in front of me and bent down, wrapping his arms around me. His arms always made me feel safe… like home. His and mama's hugs were the best.

I looked up after he engulfed me in his arms and sniffled, the only evidence that I was close to tears. I didn't like to disappoint daddy, but that boy really made me angry! How could he say that district twelve was dirty? I knew it was true, but that didn't mean that some pampered brat from two could say that!

"Katniss… what if you had seriously injured him? The peacekeepers and his guardians wouldn't be pleased… I know how hard it is to hear harsh words, but remember… he doesn't know how we live… he doesn't know how difficult it is living here. Try to remember that if you see him again."

I nodded while I wiped at my eyes furiously. I apologized for my behavior as we made our way back home to Mama and Prim.


The next day was yet another clear, spring day. This was unusual for district twelve and the people, not wanting to waste such a beautiful day, began their work earlier than normal.

Katniss walked to the bakery with some game her and her father had killed, hoping to trade one or two squirrels for some decent bread. On her way home from her trade, she ran into the boy from the day before. They both stared at each other for a moment before Katniss decided that she would sincerely apologize for her behavior.

"Um… I'm sorry about yesterday."

The apology threw the twelve year old off. He had expected another punch and another tussle. He blinked in order to wipe his face of his shock before nodding. His nose looked a little swollen, but no big deal. The blonde then decided to tell her as much.

"It's no big deal. If this little thing were enough to hurt me, I wouldn't be a very good trainee. In fact, I should thank you. This just proves how tough I really am!"

Grey eyes blinked once, then twice, and finally a third time before a small smile appeared on the tanned girl's face. This boy sure had guts, she could admire that; though, he did seem like an odd-ball. Maybe they would be close acquaintances by the end of his visit, he seemed decent now compared to yestereday.

"You're weird."

That was all she was said in response to Cato.

Cato blinked before huffing. That girl was the one that was weird. He was a tough trainee. He could handle anything. He idly noticed the loaf of bread she carried and blinked.

"How did you get that bread?"

He asked, not wanting to offend the other once more by bluntly saying she shouldn't have had enough money to afford such a luxury in an outer laying district.

Was he really interested in how she had obtained the bread? She smiled a bit once more before going into detail, quietly (one knew how to spread word without the peacekeepers hearing in the seam), on how she had shot a squirrel or two early this morning with her father. The little boy seemed impressed with her and that made her puff her chest out a little in pride.

"Cool… so you actually… you know, shot a squirrel by yourself?"

"Well… Daddy helped me to aim, but everything else was all me." She stated.

Cato looked impressed. Maybe he had been wrong about all these outer laying districts. Just like Brutus had said, they didn't excel in the games (god knows that twelve was an especially bad bet for a victor) but they did excel in other things. He blinked when he heard Brutus call out for him.

"I gotta go… um…" He was quite sure how he should leave so he added a quick, "see you later?" as he ran off. A small blush appeared on his pale cheeks as he ran off to go to where Brutus, Enobaria, and Haymitch were. It was kind of embarrassing… getting into a fight one day and then becoming civil and legitimately interested in the little girl from the seam. His mother would have a field day if she saw that, cooing about how he was becoming a little man.

Katniss blinked before smiling once more. It seemed that she had smiled more in this day alone than in her previous ten years of existance. It was weird. A little, spoiled, boy was able to make her smile despite them having a fight the previous day. Forget close acquaintances! She would make a friend out of him yet! He seemed an alright kid… despite the haughty air around him and his attitude. Maybe that was all for show, like when she used a stony face in order to hide her pain. In the words of her father, they both donned masks when the situation called for them.


Katniss

My mind was made up. As soon as I dropped the bread off to Mama and Prim, I would search for the little boy, who I still haven't properly introduced myself to, and I would attempt to be his friend. After getting through that façade of haughtiness and toughness, he seemed to be just like me… only he was a little more fed and rougher around the edges. Daddy would probably laugh at the "rough around the edges" part. He said I had rough edges all the time, but that he wouldn't trade them for the world, that they made me more likeable. I don't know about being likeable, I only had one "friend" at school and even then we weren't really friends, just close acquaintances that sat with each other at school.

"Mama! Here's some bread, I'm heading back out."

I saw mama walk in with Prim before she leaned down and kissed my forehead, smiling gently.

"Alright, be careful and don't get into any more fights, you understand me, young lady?"

I nodded before rushing out the door. I think Mama and Daddy would be proud. I'm actually going to attempt being friends with the boy I had fought with!


AN: And… yeah. The end of the chapter. I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. I went back a re-read it. Normally I don't like reading what I've written because… well, it's weird to me. Haha. But I thoroughly enjoyed this chapter (re-reading it and writing it) and I hope you guys enjoy reading it. It certainly is amazing how Suzanne Collins' writing has made me enthusiastic about writing a fanfic about her story.
If you found any mistakes, please feel free to tell me so, whether it's via a review or a private message. Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!