SasaRae: I update as often as I can, which is less frequently now that I'm in school full time again.

everyone else: Thank you so much! I'm so glad you all enjoy it so much. I like writing it.

Here's what I got done instead of doing homework tonight. If I get my homework done, I'll write more of the training, but for now, here's what you get. ;)

Chapter 8: A Fight

Morning seemed like such a long time away, but when I finally managed to slip off to sleep, it came far too quickly. I managed to drag myself out of bed and get into the outfit that Portia must have laid out for me.

As I walked out of my room in search of food, I met Haymitch in the hallway who grunted in greeting as we both made our way to the dining room. When we arrived, Katniss was already seated at the table wearing an identical outfit to mine, her hair back in a single braid, looking very much like she did every other day at home.

After all three of us had choked down some food, Haymitch took a long swig from a flask that he had stashed in his pocket. He sighed and leaned toward us on the table, "So, let's get down to business. Training. First off, I'll train you both separately if you like. Decide now."

Katniss glances at me and all I can do is shrug, "Why would you coach us separately?" she asked.

"Say if you had a secret skill you didn't want the other to know about."

She looks over at me again, "I don't have any secret skills," I admit, "And I already know yours, right? I mean, I've eaten enough of your squirrels."

Katniss looked surprised but nodded and turned to Haymitch, "You can coach us together."

Haymitch looked pleased; less work for him I suppose, "Alright, so give me an idea of what you can do."

I shrugged, "I can't do anything, unless you count baking bread."

Haymitch rolled his eyes, "Sorry, I don't. Katniss, what about you? I already know you're handy with a knife."

"Not really, but I can hunt. With a bow and arrow."

"And you're good?"

Katniss paused for a long moment, "I'm alright."

I scoffed loudly, "She's excellent. My father buys her squirrels. Always comments on how she never pierces the body. She hits every single one in the eye. It's the same with the rabbits she sells the butcher. She even takes down deer."

I turned to look at her to see her glaring suspiciously, "What are you doing?"

I cock an eyebrow at her, "What are YOU doing? If he's going to help you, he has to know what you're capable of. Don't underrate yourself."

I see the fire immediately leap into her eyes, "What about you?!" she demands, "I've seen you in the market. You can lift 100lb bags of flour! Tell him that! That's not nothing!"

I scoff, "Yes, and I'm sure the arena will be FULL of bags of flour I can chuck at people. It's not like being able to use a weapon, You know it isn't."

She turns to Haymitch now, "He can wrestle. He came in second in our school competition last year, only after his brother."

This was actually true. It has been a year before and Clark had beat me by a landslide but I had creamed Gavin and…anyone else who tried to go up against me actually. But, really, "What use is that? How many times have you seen someone wrestle someone to death?"

"There's always hand to hand combat." She said fiercely, "All you need is to come up with a knife, and you'll at least stand a chance. If I get jumped, I'm dead!" Her voice was rising in anger and I could feel my own frustration rising in response.

"But you won't!" I shouted, "You'll be living up in some tree eating raw squirrels and picking off people with arrows." I hesitated not sure if I should continue, but I was too riled up to stop now, "You know what my mother said to me when she came to say goodbye, as if to cheer me up, she says maybe District Twelve will finally have a winner. Then I realized…she didn't mean me, she meant you!"

Katniss rolled her eyes, "Oh, she went you."

"She said, 'she's a survivor, that one.' SHE is."

Katniss opened her mouth to shout something back, but then closed it again and was quiet. Then almost too quietly to hear, "But only because someone helped me."

I glanced at her sharply, then at the roll in her hand, knowing she meant the day when I gave her bread. But that was irrelevant now. She had lived on her own since. She didn't need me in the arena, I don't know why I thought I'd be able to keep her alive. If anything, my help would get her killed faster. I'd be better off just leaving her alone. But I didn't any of that. I just shrugged, "People will help you in the arena. They'll be tripping over each other to sponsor you."

"No more than you." She immediately countered.

This I had to roll my eyes at. I couldn't even speak to her anymore, instead I turned to Haymitch, "She has no idea the effect she can have."

I glanced at Katniss out of the corner of my eye as she glared at the roll in her heads. Mad, at me, I'm sure, for saving her all those years ago, for boasting about her talents now, for trying to help her out, who knows for what exactly. All I knew is the grey eyed girl beside me was frustrating as hell.

There was an impossibly long moment of silence before Haymitch seemed to realize we had stopped yelling and tuned back in, "Well, then. Well, well, well. Katniss, there's no guarantee there will be bows and arrows in the arena, but during your private session with the Gamemakers, show them what you can do. Until then, stay clear of archery. Are you any good at trapping?"

She muttered some response that I couldn't hear, then he was talking to me, "Peeta, she's right, never underestimate strength in the arena. Very often, physical power tilts the advantage to a player."

Haymitch went on for a moment about strategy, telling us to steer clear of our talents, but to focus on things we DIDN'T know. We both nodded.

"One last thing. In public, I want you by each other's side every minute."

"But-" I start at the same time as Katniss snaps "Why?"

"EVERY MINUTE. It isn't open for discussion. You agreed to do what I said. You will be together, you will appear amiable to each other. Now get out. Meet Effie in the elevator at 10."

Katniss slammed her chair back from the table and stalked off to her room, loudly slamming her door behind her. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. When I look up, Haymitch is studying me closely. "What?"I snap.

He shakes his head and is silent for a long moment, "I'm just trying to think of a good strategy for you."

"It isn't going to matter. Katniss will win. Or at least, outlive me."

Haymitch's eyes narrow, "Why are you so set on her surviving?"

I could feel my face flush, "Her family needs her more than mine does. And she has a better shot."

Haymitch smirked, "Mmhm. We can work with that."

"With what?" I asked innocently.

Haymitch's smirk widened as he took a long swig from his flask, "Yes. We can definitely work with that."

He turned before stepping out of the room, "Remember. Every minute. But that isn't much of a punishment for you, is it now?" and like that, he walked out of the room.