Turning my back to the lake, I run toward the cave. Foxface has been hiding this whole time, including when I blew up the Careers' food. I don't think she's killed anyone yet. So she wouldn't be coming here… right?

I begin processing in my mind which way everyone went off. Clove and Cato ran away behind Thresh which was west from the lake. Thresh went off towards the east and the cave is south of the lake. Foxface headed off north so…

The realization hits me that no one has come in my direction. Still, there's a chance that Clove and Cato were watching from the trees. But would they really risk the chance to follow me? I don't know. I won't allow myself to think about it. The roof of the cave starts to make its appearance, and soon, the mouth comes into view.

I burst in, Rue looking up worriedly from her position on the floor. Peeta's lying beside her, sleeping.

"What took so long?"

I kneel down next to her and give her one of the canteens silently. She slowly trickles some water onto Peeta's dry lips.

"I ran into Cato, Clove, and… Thresh." I finally say.

"Thresh?" Rue looks up when she hears his name.

"Yeah. He… He seemed worried about you."

Rue nods. "He was kind of protective of me before the Games. He's more of the independent type though." she stops for a moment. "I'm worried about Peeta. He's been burning up."

I place my left hand to his forehead. She's right. He has a horrible fever. I pour water over where my hand was just moments before. It dries up as quickly as it was put on and I finally realized something that I've been trying to push out of my head, saying to myself over and over again to tell myself that I'm wrong. Peeta is truly in danger. Without the medicine he will die. It's only a matter of time before he does.

"Rue," my voice is quiet, not wanting to wake Peeta up.

"There's nothing we can do to save him," It's not a question. Rue's eyes are filled with tears.

I nod sadly. My eyes are tearing up too. I never really knew him that well; I just know that he loves me. And I hate to see people die innocently. It's not right. This is one of the reasons why I hate the Capitol.

"Could we give him food?" Rue asks.

I shake my head. "It'll just come back up again. He wouldn't be getting any nutrition."

Peeta's body rustles as he awakens. Struggling to sit up, he tries to speak. "How-" He puts his hand to his forehead and almost falls back. Rue catches him before he bangs his head against the stone floor.

"Shh, don't talk," Sharing a glance with Rue, I know what I have to say next. "You have a fever… and it's pretty bad."

Peeta's quiet for several moments. "It's okay," I can tell he's trying to be brave and it's hard for him to get the words out. "I know I'll die without the medicine."

At this, I open my mouth in shock but nothing comes out. Peeta smiles sadly. "I overheard your conversations." He says in a whisper. "It's okay, I accept my fate." His face is beading with sweat. I try to tell him not to talk, but he won't listen. "Katniss, before I die, I want one last kiss."

"Peeta, don't talk like that," I try to persuade him even though we both know its true- that he's going to die. I know I can't refuse to kiss him so I go over to him. Doing exactly what I've done the last two times, we kiss. It's short, since his lips feel as though they're on fire. When I pull away, Peeta looks me straight in the eyes and I can tell there's something he wants to tell me.

"Katniss, come closer," he whispers. I do as he says and crawl closer. "Take me- take me outside."

"What? Peeta, we can't do that!"

"Please, for me?"

I sigh. "Alright," "Rue," I call over my shoulder, "Help me take Peeta outside."

We know why he wants to go outside. The reason why I don't want to is because Peeta wants to be out of the cave when he takes his final breath. And I don't want him to die. When we get him out, he feebly grasps my arm.

"Listen, I don't know how much longer I'm able to go on," Peeta pauses for a few moments. "But I want you to know that I'm glad you and Rue found me. I'd probably be dead sooner. I want you to go on for me. Win. Win for me, your family, everyone who's betting on you. Haymitch always liked you better." I would've laughed at this if this wasn't such a sad moment.

"Peeta," I try to cut him off. But he knows what I was going to say.

"No, he thought you might win. And I think you will too. He always believed in you even if he didn't show it. So show him that he was right."

I swallow, trying to suppress tears. "Okay," I whisper, "I'll try to win."

"Good."

Rue makes her way over to me and Peeta. "I just wanted to say that it was nice meeting you." she says solemnly.

He smiles. "Thank you, it was nice to meet you too." Peeta takes a breath. Gasping, he says, "I'm getting weak now. My leg…"

I panic for a second and my heart wants to burst out of my chest. "Peeta," the name escapes from my lips.

"Katniss, I-I love you." his eyes start to flutter. "Remember to win!" he whispers the last part fiercely. Peeta's eyes close completely. I put a hand on his chest. Taking one last breath, his heart stops beating. I feel nothing from his body. Tears fall soundlessly from my eyes. Rue wipes them and then wipes her own. I'm forced to face the truth. Peeta is dead.

Please don't kill me! I like Peeta and I have nothing against him but this was necessary for the story. I hated to write this and I'm sorry for all you Peeta fans.

By the way, I didn't forget about the feast part. I'm not even sure if I'm going to do a feast. If anyone has an opinion about it, I'd like to know. :)

And thanks for all the nice reviews! You guys are the best. =)

R&R

~Bluestar4ever