Intricate Strokes, Delicate Precision


Option C


By: KaKaVegeGurl


Author's Note:

Told you I'd post on Friday.

I hope that this schedule is slightly ideal, and not too annoying. Because I didn't want to overwhelm everyone with four posts within two hours. XP

if you have any other alternative idea, do tell. But until then, we're keeping it this way.

Option D, as a lot of ppl seem eager fer it, will be coming up on Monday at the latest. Hope you lot can wait fer it! XP

Also, construction on the site will be starting soon as well... KKVG just needs to stop procrastinating.

Other then that, been playing TF 2, and if anyone else has it, yer welcome to ask me fer my name, maybe we can join up at some point. XP

I've also been watching Six Feet Under, how did I not know about this show fer so friggin long? _

Hmm, and... OH! I posted up Hunger Games fan art! I'm not even kidding. It's on my DeviantArt. It's just a little sketch, but more of them will be going up too, Katniss, Peeta, Peeta and Katniss, more Peeta and Katniss. XP

And, I didn't listen to Bad Romance when I wrote this, so no one big died. Promise.

Thank you all fer sticking around, please continue on and enjoy! Have a nice steaming cup of yaoi.

~KaKaVegeGurl (A)


Review Response:

To the Anonymous reviewers, time fer love...

Sam: "I really do try to be honest when I'm writing, as much as possible. Whether horrible, amusing, graphic, or simple. Life isn't always perfect, but it's not always tragedy. I'm glad you like B and D, they are both very VERY enjoyable to write. ^^"


Side Notes:

Wherever you go

Whatever you do

I will be right here waiting for you

Whatever it takes

Or how my heart breaks

I will be right here waiting for you

I took for granted, all the times

That I though would last somehow

I hear the laughter, I taste the tears

But I can't get near you now


Chapter 2 - Under New Rule


I don't regret killing her.

Especially now. My own decisions can't afford to be questioned by myself at this point. And, since they haven't locked me up or taken me out, I'm guessing that the growing tension between Coin and fellow peers around her had been taking considerable strain lately.

Even they don't regret what I've done.

I've merely been confined while the people of District 13 and Haymitch, maybe a few choice others of twelve, talk over what to do with me.

But at least I don't have to sit here long.

After washing the blood from my hands and face, and changing into some clean clothes, I sit for maybe minutes at the most before Haymitch comes in with another guy.

The guy, standing tall and straight, with close cropped gray hair and sharp blue eyes, walks immediately to me and takes my hand in his.

"Peeta Mellark," he addresses me.

I stand up from the bed, shaking back, "Hi," I say, not trying to sound nervous or concerned.

His smiles wide, "Relax, you're not in any immediate danger. I'm Boggs, I guess I have you to thank for putting me in charge," he raises his brow.

I shrug and look away.

"Don't be worried," He says, more to try and console me into relaxing, "What you did was maybe dangerous and a little stupid, but I understand why you did it. And you're not being punished."

My eyes widen at this and I take my hand from his, "Why not?"

Boggs smiles wider, if possible, and takes a seat in the corner chair, "I was there when you killed her, you know. I was the one holding your center. I heard everything, so I know where you stand. But I'd like to ask you a few more questions."

I nod and sit down on the side of the bed with Haymitch, he hasn't said a thing, but his look is sympathetic.

"You didn't initially intend to kill the leader of power here in thirteen, when you found out where you were going, did you? Because it seems like you've been onto her since the beginning."

I shake my head, "I don't ever intend to kill anyone. But the second I talked to her, I just knew she'd be a threat to Katniss. I can't afford that."

Boggs nods silently, "I thought that was the case. We've been watching you since your first games. You've pretty much said that from the start, as far as I've seen, and you've lived up to it. It doesn't surprise me at all that you'd chance getting killed to take out Coin. This doesn't make you our leader though, I hope you know that."

"I just killed your leader," I explain, "I didn't expect to live, let alone rule a district. I'm also only eighteen. I may have done some things in the past that were dumb, but I'm not brain damaged in the slightest."

Haymitch laughs nervously and nods, "We don't think that, Peeta."

"I want the place she comes to, from the Capitol, to be more safe then twelve was," I say, "If it's not, then her life is at risk here. I can't afford to lose her."

Boggs stands up and paces for a moment, "We've talked over you're position a lot, Peeta. You're more then valuable. You're a great asset. And Katniss would be just as great. I want, more then anything, both you and her here, safe from any harm. And while we can't have you leading us, of course, I would like to appoint you."

"Appoint me?" I ask, heart racing in my chest.

"You have her best intentions in mind and right now, if there's anyone's life at risk, it's hers. And in turn, your's. You have a gift, Peeta. I want to put it to good use."

"What do you mean?"

Boggs looks me dead in the eyes and says: "I want you to make a few decisions, and be our face for some time."

I stare up at him in surprise, "Decisions like what?"

"Concerning Katniss, and rescuing her, and," he takes a breath, "You've been in twelve for this long and alone you've gotten this speech quality and charisma, I want to actually run you through a few classes. And appoint you the second leader."

"You're kidding me–"

"We in thirteen think that some sort of merging needs to take place, a sign of companionship and company, comfort, and agreement. A show that both sides are being recognized. That was when I decided that we should have two leaders. One of thirteen, and one of twelve. You have great concern for your home and your people, and Katniss. Everyone knows you. And while you're a risk because you're young and somewhat of a loose cannon, I think you're the only one fit for the job."

"Boggs," I start, "You do realize this is a bad idea?"

"It isn't," he says, grinning, "Taking you into classes will help you out, your speech skills are your best quality, and you're a young, more fresh mind. We could use someone like you at my side. After two Games, there's no one more deserving. You also took out Coin, and while a few people resent you for that, the vast majority understand, and even some are grateful."

I frown and turn my head to look away from him, "So, I don't have a choice, in other words."

"You do," he corrects me, "You have every ounce of decision on this as you would to cut your hair or not eat vegetables."

"We're not pushing you into anything," Haymitch says now, "And you can think it over."

"No," I say, turning to Boggs, "I don't need to. I'll do it. On one condition."

"Name it."

I stare at him, "We save Katniss, immediately."

Boggs's eyes widen, "I'm not sure–"

"I don't care if you're sure or not," I say, standing up, "Nothing's holding you back, you have the power to construct an attack on the Capitol. I want her out of there. It's number one priority over anything else."

Boggs closes his mouth and nods, then holds his hand out to take mine up, "Alright. You have a deal then."

"We'll save her," I confirm.

He nods again.

All things aside, I'm fairly lucky. Saved Katniss's mother and Prim, killed Coin, and became joint leader of twelve and thirteen, all in one day.

I still have questions about Boggs's logic there, but I'll take what I can for now, anything to protect Katniss.


I join Katniss's mother and Prim in their quarters to let them know of the current situation.

Prim reacts in the only way I expect her to, wide eyes, gaping mouth, still in shock of what I've done.

Katniss's mother, however, pulls me into a tight hug and rubs my back. She doesn't say anything as Prim goes into near hysterics.

"I can't believe you killed her, Peeta," Prim's saying, "I just can't believe it."

After I leave them, I visit Finnick for a short enough time, just to see how he's holding on. If I'm going into the Capitol to save Katniss, then I'll make sure we get Annie as well.

Finnick can hardly function without her.

It's being around him that makes me feel the most guilt. I should be like him. I should be in shock with Katniss in the hands of Snow.

I should be insane. But I'm not.

What does that say about me?

Is it because I'm more angry then scared? Have I just not figured out how much danger she could be in? Is it just because I'm a different person?

Or is there some kind of affection I'm missing?

Or maybe... maybe we're not like him and Annie. It's different.

Whether a good or bad difference, it's the only one I've got. And I'm glad I'm not like him, too. Because I'm more useful like this.


I spend the rest of the remaining day sitting in my own room and reading a politics book Boggs has given me. But it's hard to concentrate on the words of it when I know what's happening under the skin, the preparation for combat, search and rescue.

I've already been fitted and dressed accordingly, gun over my back and knife tucked on my waist. I might as well be one of their Peacekeepers.

It just surprises me that they trust me with the weapons. Granted, they have no real reason not to, but still. I did kill their leader. That has to have left some sort of impression.

Boggs knows better though, and if I'm going to be a sort of leader, I need some show of power besides the mental.

And going into the Capitol is best handled with a weapon.

Finally, Boggs comes in at last and salutes me, "I figured you'd want to come," he says, looking at my gear.

"I do," I say, tucking the book on the shelf behind my bed and joining him in the walk down the hall.

We take the elevator up and walk out onto the hard dirt.

The hovercraft waiting for us is ready to part the second we enter it. And once we've strapped ourselves down, I allow myself a moment of realization at what's happening now.

Back into the Arena, as usual.

Boggs watches me during the entire ride, and it doesn't bother me, it just gets amusing when he barely even glances away for a second, without even trying to hide his stare.

Gale, at my side, keeps saying things to me on occasion, "I still can't believe you killed her," is the most common. Often, though, he adds in: "She deserved it."

"Are you okay?"

I turn to him and nod, "I'm okay, yeah."

He stares at me, unsure, more concerned then he has any right to be, "I've never seen someone die before. It's bothering me."

"You'll get over it."

He shakes his head, "It doesn't even bother you, does it? That you killed a woman?"

"A monster," I correct him, "She wasn't a woman in any way. And after killing Cato, and Brutus... Seeing others die, it's nothing now."

Gale watches me in surprise and shakes his head, "I didn't like Coin, but I feel like you know something about her that I don't."

"Not really," I say, and then explain, "I just knew that she was going to crush everything I loved if I let her live. Monster. And you kill those. So I killed her."

He nods then, understanding, I think.

"You weren't kidding when you said you'd kill for her," he whispers softly, "You didn't hesitate to kill Coin the second you got the chance. I hope I don't get in your way, I might be next."

I turn to him finally and stare into his eyes, "You mean something to Katniss, and you'd never hurt her. You're not a threat."

"And if I took her from you?" He offered.

I shrug, "That's her choice. I'm not her conscious."

Gale scoffed and looked away at last, staring out the window of the Hovercraft.


We descend into the Capitol and our vehicle empties with me, Boggs, and Gale last.

And even though we're after the rest, we're still nearly overwhelmed with combat. I don't even bother with the gun yet, Peacekeepers swarm and I use my knife to do as little damage as possible without leaving them as an immediate threat.

We crack through the security system on the top floor and drop down the sets of stairs into a dark hallway.

The ones in front flash lights to guide us before finally finding a switch against the wall.

Once on, it lights up a hallway full of doors.

"Check these," Boggs says immediately and Gale and I turn back to get the ones we've already passed.

"Check them slowly, and together," Boggs says, "Don't hesitate to ask for help."

The rooms that Gale and I check together are both empty, and startling at the same time. They're black. Pitch black rooms, with a chair in the center.

The first one we check, Gale looks at me with a raised brow.

But after that, it simply becomes... expected. And to our annoyance, they're all empty.

Gale kicks the base of the past door in frustration and we take down into a large center room, that splits off three other ways.

"We shouldn't split up," I find myself saying immediately, "I mean, we don't have time, but we can't afford to split up, there aren't enough of us to handle that."

Boggs looks at me and smiles wide, "You're right," he points to his left, "We'll go down this one first."

And we don't have to look far.

The very first door we open, walls black, instead of a chair is a bed. And the bed is being filled already.

"Katniss!" I shout in relief and run to her.

She looks up, confused, startled, and afraid, "What?" Her long hair is still up in a braid, but it's been slightly disturbed, her face is broken out in a sweat, and she's wearing clothes similar to the ones we casually wear when we go into training. She doesn't look even the slightest bit harmed.

I grab at the belts on her wrists, waist, and feet. She doesn't seem to be in any pain at all still, and once I have her free, I help her from the bed.

She smiles up at me before looking past, "Gale!" She shouts, nearly shoving me away and running to him.

Surprised, naturally, I turn and watch as she flings herself against him.

"Oh, Gale," She sighs out, starting to cry, "I was so scared! It's good to see you, it's good to see anyone. How are Prim and mom?"

Gale stares at her in surprise, "Katniss?"

She stops and looks up at him, "I've missed you."

He smiles nervously and pats her back, "I've missed you too. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I can see her face light up, "Especially now."

Gale pulls back and turns her, "Aren't you more happy to see... Peeta?" He's nervous, scared of my reaction.

But I just feel numb.

And even more numb as she stares at me, her brows furrowing in confusion as she tilts her head and steps forward, unsure.

"I–" she smiles, confused still, "I," and then she shrugs and holds out her hand, "I guess? We've never properly met, have we?"

I stare at the hand, and feel the chill bumps rise over my skin, the fear settling in, "Katniss?"

"That's right," she grins wide, "You know my name?"

"I..." I swallow as my stomach drops and I have to fight the tears prickling, "Of course I know your name, Katniss."

Of course I know your name.


Ending Notes:

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, feel free to give me yer points of view in a review, or just drop in to say 'good story' anything werks. ^^

~KaKaVegeGurl