(A/N): Thank you for all the reviews! So I have this huge surprise for ya'll. I'm currently in the progress of creating a new story as well. It's way different from any Hunger Games story you've ever read before, but hopefully you all will love it :)

Chapter 4: Rebel Come Home

Katniss's POV

The days were getting longer, and my nightmares were getting stronger. I had hardly managed to sleep a wink, yet every time I would drift off even for a minute, my mind would be overcome with brutal images of my beautiful baby sister being blown to bits, or Peeta being savagely murdered in the games. My dreams were only half true. Prim was gone, but Peeta was still here.

After Peeta's little speech, I agreed to try to make the best of things. I ate a little more each day, took naps in between Peeta's visits, and I had even attempted to make myself physically active again. Unfortunately, my legs had been so used to being paralyzed that they did not adjust too well to movement, and I had collapsed several times before actually successfully making it into the bathroom without help. I was slowly, but surely, making progress.

Peeta constantly brought over cheese buns. He said they were the only thing I wouldn't hesitate to eat, and I'd gorge on them like they were my last meal. He was trying to put as much fat back on my bones as possible. The sight of my ribs rousing from my skin was starting to make him sick, mentally, I mean. Peeta was literally worrying himself sick because of the horrible health I had let myself get to. Naturally, that wasn't like me. I used to be the kind of person that would do anything in her power to stay healthy, and keep others healthy as well, but without Prim, I didn't find much use for that. Now I had Peeta to think about. Seeing him struggle with my illness was making this depression thing a whole lot harder. Just knowing that he was only a mere ten feet away in the next house over made me want to get out of my chair and walk around. Hearing his voice made me want to eat, sleep, talk, basically do anything I had deprived myself of. Sometimes, I even had the urge to hunt, but those thoughts were quickly submerged back into my brain whenever I looked at Hazelle. Because when I looked at Hazelle, I saw Gale.

Ugh. Gale. Probably the most frustrating, confusing, emotionally draining subject in my life. I didn't know whether to miss him or hate him. I didn't know if I'd ever see him again, and I didn't know if I even wanted to. I would question myself quite often on what I would do if he ever stepped foot in District 12 again. Sometimes I would picture beating him as much as my current lack of strength would allow me, but other times I would imagine hugging him tightly, crying in his chest, begging him never to leave me again. He was my best friend after all, and the kind of bond we shared doesn't just disappear.

I guess I did, in some slight way, miss Gale Hawthorne.

Peeta's POV

Although I ran the bakery by myself during the afternoons, mornings were occupied with helping Greasy Sae out in the newly rebuilt Hobb. I had promised her that once Katniss was back on her feet and in healthy condition; she would take over for me. I was horrible at waiting on people, I couldn't restock her kitchen with game, I had no talent with cleaning, and I think in the whole month I had been working there I had broken more than half the dishes. Katniss was surely to be more of help.

"Peeta, my boy, could you help me move these flour sacks to the back porch? They're in the way at the moment." Greasy Sae asked me, relieving me of my current terrible sweeping attempt. I nodded my head as I set the broom down and made my way to the kitchen. There were six large flour sacks stacked near the stove and I could tell by the mess that Greasy Sae was having a difficult time maneuvering around them. I picked one up and threw it over my shoulder before pushing the back swinging door open and walking out onto the wooden porch. I set the sack down and gazed out over the still ruined part of town. Everything behind the Hobb was silent and deserted. The ash from the burned buildings still nestled across the ground, the grass by the destroyed homes was still dead, the barn was threatening to collapse at any moment, and there were still even a few bones left over from the poor unfortunate cats and dogs that had gotten bombed during the attack. It was a sad sight. It even gave me the chills a little. I pulled myself away from the disaster and went back to get another sack.

This time though, the back of the Hobb wasn't so deserted. I threw the sack down carelessly. My fists clenched but I controlled the sudden flame that had ignited inside me, threatening to burst.

"What are you doing here?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"Well, this is my home too, you know." He replied. I shook my head. I knew damn well that wasn't the reason.

"Oh that's a load of crap. You and I both know you couldn't give a damn about District 12. Why are you really here?" I didn't even know why I was bothering to ask. There could only be one reason why he would come back.

"To make things right." He answered.

"You're a little late for that aren't you? Shouldn't you have been here like two months ago?" Okay, so I know I was being a little harsh towards the guy, but please. He pulls a vanishing act, no phone calls, no letters, nothing, then two months later wants to come back and make things right? He was playing with emotions a little too much for my comfort.

"Peeta, what's the hold up?" Greasy Sae shouts impatiently as she stalks out the back door. She stops suddenly when she realizes our little visitor. I can't tell if it's anger, disappointment, or just surprise that's crossing her face, but either way, I know I'm not the only one thinking about the trouble this could cause.

We stand there in silence. I don't want to make conversation with this guy, and I know he has no interest in starting one with me.

Finally Greasy Sae finds her voice.

"Hello, Gale."

HE'S BACKKKK! :O

What's a Hunger Games story without a Gale? You know what to do.

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