Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games

"underneath all that denial, you're someone who's deeply, deeply nice."

― David Levithan, Will Grayson, Will Grayson

A/N Okay, my head is spinning trying to write in "he or she" as opposed to "I" like in Gladiolus. And I'm pretty sure that my readers are also getting really confused with it. So henceforth, I'll be using first person.

Chapter 7

Cato

I was destroying my room systematically. This was the first thing I did when I woke. I went straight towards my room to break a lamp, a vase, a paperweight (who the hell needs a paperweight?), and some ornaments scattered on top of my desk.

"Grrrr" Okay, so I growl once in a while when I'm frustrated. It's a habit. After thirty minutes of a full tantrum, I've now settled down on the floor to throw torn pieces of textiles over to the trash bin.

I guess all the ruckus and noise alerted my grandfather because he hurried towards my room, accompanied by his avox entourage or as I like to call it, his minions.

N looked around in consternation "What the hell happened here, Cato?" seeing the ruined artifacts scattered around the room as well as my tattered bedsheets.

"I was in a bad mood" I explained sullenly, remaining on the floor and generally ignoring the minions now cleaning up the mess.

Huffing in annoyance, N sat down on the ruined bed and looked towards him reprimanding. "I know that I'm rich but that's still no reason to be breaking things on a regular basis, son"

I mostly ignored the old man because my mind was stuck on replay with Katniss. How is that possible? It's about a one in a million or even a billion chance that my dreams were coinciding with hers. Despite my initial hatred of the idea, I still couldn't help but recall the good times spent in that dreamworld. And of course, there's also the kiss. That kiss that managed to tilt my world, both reality and dream, upside down… how can she kiss me like that and reject me in the next second? For a moment, I stopped my pacing, straightening my shoulders with a sudden realization:

Never really noticed before but the Girl on Fire is fickle as hell!

I will not be part of the hundred men drooling over her. It's not my style, besides, I'm Cato… well I'm not sure about my surname anymore, but I'm Cato, N's grandson and the sole heir to the enterprise. I don't need the Girl on Fire.

I can have anyone…

Still, I can't seem to shake off the thoughts swirling inside my brain; of mahogany brown and steely grey; tanned skin and flushed cheeks. Katniss.

Surging to my feet, I started pacing the carpeted floor. Furiously reliving that moment when we realized who the other is. There was definite horror in that expression. I'm sure of it. So why am I so affected by that? Our reactions should be the same.

"Cato!" a loud voice broke my concentration. At that moment, I looked around and saw N looking amused.

I threw a sharp "What?" placing both hands akimbo. What the hell does the old man want now?

"I've been trying to get your attention for a while now… what's wrong with you?" He asked a bit bewildered.

"What do you mean?" I asked warily, trying to look clueless. Not to be secretive or anything but once N realizes that my dream girl is none other than Katniss, I'm a 100% sure that he'll be ridiculing me for the rest of time.

"It's been a while since you showed this type of temper, and it's too much of a coincidence that this happened just after your treatment" N raises his eyebrow at me and not for the first time do I wish that my grandfather is a bit more senile. N is too sharp for his advanced age.

Shaking my head, I stride over to the dressing room, yanking out a jacket. "I don't wanna talk about it, I'm heading out" Pulling it over my arms as I walked briskly out my bedroom. N followed closely, still badgering me to reveal why I'm so cranky.

Nonetheless, I ignore him and went out the house still fuming and confused. Only the Girl on Fire can do this to my psyche! Seriously, the girl was placed on this earth to antagonize me.

The path that I took was made of bricks, N's estate was vast enough that we actually have a freaking forest in our backyard. It's a bit of an overkill if you ask me but I have to admit that it does have its advantages. Like now when I just want to get away from everything, including the landowner.

We arrived from that disastrous District 12 dinner party at dawn and I was rushed fast to the chamber, so Katniss must've retired early as well from the party to meet me in that dream plane.

The forest is getting thicker now. This forest became my sanctuary now. It was first suggested by Katniss when she told me that she escapes into the forest when reality becomes too much. But for me, it was a way to make me feel closer to my then, mysterious dream girl. Shit again.

It was on our fourth meeting, she told me that she loved the forest; how everything was quiet and the air fresh, so unlike the town in District 12 due to fumes spewing from the coalmines. Katniss also didn't like the Capitol, I still remember her remark that one time;

It's too busy… there's so much tall buildings that they obscure the sky. I like seeing the sky.

In that moment, I wanted to take her to this estate and show her the fantastic view. It's located at the top of a hill, with the forest on one side and the sea on the other. You'll be able to smell the saltiness or the freshness of wet leaves depending on the wind's direction. And I wanted to show her both sides.

That was before I knew of her identity.

So now, the question is, should I ignore her? Just erase her completely from my memory. I could even get N to do it… I'm sure that he definitely has the technology for it, but midway through that idea, I found myself pausing, why does it feel as if I'm cheating myself of something… I hate her now but back then, she was the highlight of my day and night for that matter.

Looking down from my high perch, I could vaguely see District 12's fumes. What a terrible District. Standing there for quite some time, I've finally made a decision.

Strolling back to the mansion with purpose on my strides, I bellowed to N, opening the double-doors with a bang. He came running down or as much as he's able to. "What- What's happening, Cato?"

"I wanna go back to District 12" I said straight. I looked at his minions and gestured to them to pack my bags.

My gramps looked gob smacked, I guess I would be too if this was suddenly dropped on me. "What? Why? You hated it there"

"I've got some unfinished business to settle in that dump… I need to go back"

"Why?" And for the first time, I could see some of myself in the old man. He was standing to his full height, which wasn't much but the steely look and determination in those eyes reminded me of myself.

I guess I owed him an explanation. Gesturing to the side room where his study is located, I asked him to keep what I'm about to tell him in confidence. He sits back down in his ornate chair while I slouch in one of the guest chairs meant for guests.

But before that, I poured myself a glass of whiskey to prepare myself.

"You know about her, right?" All the while, rolling the glass gently between my hands.

"Your dream girl?" His curiosity is now tweaked. He leans forward in anticipation, reminding me of an eager gossip mongrel like Caesar from the Hunger Games.

Looking at him a bit in irritation, "Yes, it's about her… I saw her clearly for the first time last night"

His eyes widened at my revelation "Oh! And what did she look like? did you know her? Is she real?" Shit, the old man looked excited. I sincerely hope that he's not thinking of future great grandbabies at this point.

I took my time answering, not really looking in his direction, "Yes, she's very very real and… yes, I know her" I don't want to comment on Katniss' features… I mean, I've never been attracted to her during the games but now, I guess she's okay looking, if you're into all that angst.

"You're stalling, dear boy, who's the lucky lady?" My grandfather asked jovially, almost rubbing his two hands together in anticipation. Shit.

I brace myself for his reaction, either way, it won't make a difference, I'm still going to District 12 "You know her too, you know… and all of Panem know of her as well"

He stops to think about it for a while before his eyes widen and his mouth forms an O in surprised disgust "What!? Don't tell me it's that president! I never knew that you're into…" He gestures towards his laugh lines.

"What!? You're such a pervert, old man, I'm talking about the Girl on Fire!" I exploded, not really getting how he got to that conclusion.

Blessed silence followed my confession. One minute, two minutes, nearing three, I've decided to stand up. I can't stand the silence.

"Wait, wait," His lips started tilting up, I never knew what to make of this man "so you're saying that you're in love with the Mockingjay?"

"What- where-" I'm a bit speechless after his remark, gesticulating wildly with my hands, "How the hell did you arrive at that conclusion?" I demanded.

"Well, it was pretty obvious, son… she was all you talked about during the first few months" He leans back and assumes a pose of boredom.

"I talked about nothing! You're just imagining things! I just told you about the girl, I didn't tell you anything else!"

"Well, aren't you?"

"Aren't I what?" I felt like a broken record, asking repeatedly on what he's saying.

"In love with her? You are going to District 12 to be with her, am I correct?"

My mouth opens and closes in silent indignation, glowering down at him. Okay, I've had enough of this freak show. I stood up snottily and looked down at him "I've had enough of this. I'm going to District 12 to get her out of my system. I'm not there to start anything. I just need to remind myself that I hate her"

N remained silent at my statement, looking at me with pity in those eyes so similar to mine, as if he knows of some higher knowledge that's invisible to me. Shaking his head, he laughs a bit and stands up as well.

"Well! I guess, there's nothing more to say then…. Ummm, good luck!" At my pointed look, he further clarified "at getting her out of your system, I mean"

I nodded and turned my back to him, heading for the door.

So I was a bit concerned that once outside the study room, I could hear him laughing uproariously, repeating my statement on "getting her out of his system, my ass! hahahhahha"

Whatever, maybe the man was going senile. I shrugged and went back to my room to order around his minions. My grandfather asked me if he could delay my trip for another week so that he could get someone to set up a house in District 12. It seems that the fumes haven't completely dissipated from that District and it could potentially harm my newly recovered lungs.

I agreed reluctantly but emphasized that I'd be going one way or another by the end of the week regardless if I have to sleep at the entrance of the mining cave.

Katniss

Sitting up from the tub in shock, the water splashes onto the sides when I abruptly emerged from the bathtub. I breathe uneasily. What the hell was that?

Don't tell me that the dream boy that's been haunting me for months is also my most hated enemy in the Hunger Games?

Besides, how did he survive?

Toweling off the water from my body, I shakily step towards the bathroom mirror to look at my reflection. A very pale young woman stated back at me, same eyes, same nose, but the eyes that looked back was quite different. For the first time in what felt like years, I could see something in those grey depths; something more than mourning and sorrow.

I wondered if the Brute was responsible for this. My hands clench as I remembered the hard slap he bestowed to me during the party. How dare he!

How dare he barge into my life, barge into my dreams, and disrupt everything. Cato has always been a thorn in my side since the parade. He has it out for me and this just proves it because the Brute even followed me in my dreams.

Yanking the comb brutally through my wet tresses, my fury grows. I wanted to get back at him. It was a natural reaction for me when confronted with the brute. During the games, I held his gaze head on and inside the games, I was the only one brave enough to taunt him. I looked into those weirdly colored eyes and basically told him off.

The Brute was different in those dreams, he wasn't the psychopath that tried to kill me in the games… the Brute became… Cato. Just Cato. A boy who's been lied to by his own father, a teenage boy fed to the wolves at the academy to ensure that he'll win, a young man who survived my killing shot.

The one in my dreams was Cato, not the former District 2 Career. Despite my initial disgust and horror at learning his identity, I can't help but look at him in a different light. That young man shared everything with me and I did so as well.

He knew details about me that even Peeta don't, like how I secretly like carnation flowers—the girliest bloom that you'll ever encounter. Peeta usually brings me roses because it symbolizes romance and I actually associated it with him because pink roses were there during their first Victory interview. Unfortunately, roses will also be forever associated to Snow in my sub consciousness.

Cato doesn't like flowers, but he said that back in District 2, there was this tree called the weeping willow. It looked so sad but it was his favorite hiding place when he was young whenever his father came home drunk and looking for an easy target because it had low hanging branches and thick leaves. Growling in irritation at my thoughts, I opened the door forcefully and marched back inside Peeta and my bedroom. The air smells different now, dawn is nearing and Peeta still wasn't back.

Walking to the dresser, I yanked out my usual ensemble of plain pants, dark shirt, and my dad's oversized jacket. As I'm braiding my hair, I wondered briefly what the brute is actually doing. Reaching down to tie it off, I stopped as I stared at my simple hair clip. It was colored purple, no doubt from Cinna's collection.

Cato also reluctantly told me that he liked the color purple because it was always associated with his mother. His last memories of her were of that color. Cinna once told me that the purple color symbolizes dreams, imagination…destiny.

I gulped silently, my throat spasming a bit at the thought. "If you weren't the girl on fire then I would've dressed you in this color" He whispered that one time during the Victory Tour.

My dream man wasn't supposed to intersect with reality. He was supposed to stay locked there, that's one of the reasons why I was able to open up to him. He wasn't real. So in reality, no one would have that intimate knowledge about me. But he crossed over. The stubborn brute just had to defy me and follow me here in reality.

What a joke that it turns out that my dreams were in fact happening to another person in reality. I mean, what are the chances? A one in a billion, that's what and surprise surprise, it happens to me, I think sarcastically.

Sighing at my thoughts, I chose a different color, an unassuming black, and tied off the braid. I walked down the hall and exited the house just as the first sunrays pierced the clouds. I've already left a note to Peeta saying that I've gone to the forest to think. He's used to it so it wouldn't really be that big of a deal.

Walking fast towards the entrance, I smile a bit at seeing my own personal sanctuary. The air here is unpolluted and the damp leaves because of due added an extra sparkle to everything. How did I never notice that before?

Cocking my head to the side, I observed again and noticed a lot of things that usually bypasses me since my sister's death. The ground is of a rich brown similar to my hair color and the bark of some trees is slowly peeling to reveal its new coat. Season is changing.

Shaking off my musings, I wondered where all this philosophical crap came from. Going deeper into the forest, I was startled to see that it turns a brighter green with each kilometer that I pass by.

Going to my meadow, I slumped back down onto the grass and weeds, bending my knees and placing forehead on it. What the hell is happening to me?

There are signs that wasn't really present before; first, I blushed and now I'm noticing small things that weren't that relevant before. And I refuse to think that this was because of Cato.

It can't be. I'm still in denial that he was the dream man because though I'm loathe to admit it, I connected with the young man. I've always had a problem with opening up to people, Prim's death further drove that home. I mean, I barely tolerated Gale those initial years and the only thing that made me connect with Peeta was during the Hunger Games. Something about facing death makes you more susceptible to the people around you.

But with Cato… it was different. We weren't fighting for our lives during those dreams. We fight, yes, I remember now. We fight in our dreams, we tease the other relentlessly, and we bonded. I knew and he knew that we couldn't cross that path beyond friendship, so we remained platonic until… last night.

Touching my fingers to my lips, my hands tremble a bit. Is it cheating if I kissed someone other than my fiancé in my dreams? Am I being unfaithful if I feel this deep connection to another person? Groaning, I slap my hands down the ground, pulling at the weeds there and throwing it in front of me. I realized belatedly that they were wild violets.

What is it with that color? Is that a premonition? I stayed that way for a while and noticed that I'm surrounded with the small flowers.

I shouldn't be thinking like this, Cato will never appear in my dreams again, I decided resolutely. My frown deepening with determination, I'll never see him again so there's really no point in agonizing about it.

Unknown to me, the topic of my thoughts is currently packing up for his trip towards District 12 grumbling all the while as he throws clothes and shoes into the luggage.

End of Chapter 7

A/N Am I moving too slow with this fanfic?