Whispering Fire

Disclaimer: I do not own the hunger games or its original characters.

Warning for there is mild cursing in this chapter.

Chapter nine

Score.

Siobhan POV

Crap, crap, crap, why, oh why, did I put mud in my hair? As I scrubbed my scalp to a hurting point, washing away any mud, dirt, leaves and twigs, off my body. My private session was interesting, using camouflage along with my other abilities. However, I might have over done it on the mud? Though it was worth the fun, to see Effie faint at the sight of me while Haymitch spewed his beverage all over the carpet. I wonder how Gale is doing. Probably doing well with firing at countless dummies and awaking the Gamemakers?

BANG!

Okay, maybe he didn't have a good session.

So washing about another thirty minutes till all the mud was off. I turn off the faucet and change into a pair of gym pants and a tank top. My necklace resting over my chest and hair up in a towel. When coming out of my room to find Effie knocking on the door.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I don't know, dear?" Effie said. "When I woke up, Gale comes barging in furious."

I sighed and scratched my neck. Something must have happen? The Gamemakers probably didn't give him enough attention, for he was last of the tributes. Hell, I only had about three/fourths of the Gamemakers attention when I showed my capabilities.

"Give him a moment," I said placing a hand on Effie puffy green shoulder. "He had a rough day and probably isn't in the mood to speak."

Effie was going to say something, and then sighed. She knows Gale hate's the Capitol and all who live in it. Well he makes an exception for Cinna and Portia, if not Effie. .. When she's not being selfish along with the Avox girl. So we went into the living room, to find Haymitch still laughing, though he was staring at a picture. Looking over his shoulder to see it was a picture of me cover in mud. How on earth did he get hold of a picture of that? I swore there was not flash photography.

"You're not going to let this go, aren't you?" I asked.

"Nope," He said popping the 'p'.

I groan before sitting on the couch to watch something on the television. Although it was weird, to watch television at any time, usually television at the district or at least district twelve was only mandatory shows, for example, the Hunger Games, preparation for the event, and New Year's special. Sometimes the show emergency updates, if like a serious storm or earthquake. Now watching all these show's that I never scene before got me questioning on what is real again. I feel like an alien here. Leaning back and closing my eyes to think of home. Between the borderlines of the Seams and town, imagining the smell of Mellark's bakery and the smoke from the mines. The forest peaceful, as nature runs its course, the lake, and Gale. Stopping right there. Why did I think of Gale, when he's just in his room?

Sighing to see the Avoxs, set up the dinner table. So I went to collect Gale, knocking on his door. He came out, all tired and stressed out. I told him it was time for dinner. He nodded and came out in sweats. We got to the dinner table to find Cinna and Portia had made their appearance for dinner. While the adults focus on small talk, I continued to eat my sinner. When Haymitch brought out the photo and showed it Cinna. The stylist gasped before burst out laughing.

"Really Haymitch!" I exclaimed leaning forward to grab the stupid thing. But Cinna pulled back and handed it to Portia. She burst out laughing as well handing the picture to Gale. Gale paused for a moment, his face neutral till a smirk creped his lips and he burst out laughing. I groan back on my seat, arms crossed, "Traitors!"

"So you did take my advice, and camouflage yourself." Gale said through a fit of giggles.

"Actually . . ."

Gale stopped and looked at me. "You used it . . . didn't you?" I nodded which Gale sighed, "Siobhan, I truly don't like it using the blowgun."

"Why, because you're afraid of it," I shot back.

"No, because I worry about you," Gale said holding a serious tone.

I glared till I hear Haymitch said, "Okay enough small talk, just how bad were you today."

I glared at Haymitch. "For me, I think I did pretty well. I showed an example on my camouflage skills, climbed a tree, and fire a blow dart at a dummy thirty feet away."

"How high were you?" Haymitch asked.

"Probably fourty feet," In result of Cinna choking on his water.

"And you, sonny?" Haymitch asked Gale.

"I shot an arrow at the Gamemakers." Gale replied.

Everyone stopped eating as Effie squeak in horror, "You what?"

"I shot an arrow at them."

"Gale," I said in serious tone. This is not good, this will affect not him but us on our score point, including his family.

"Okay, not at them, but their direction. They were ignoring me over some pig. I lost my bearings and shot the pigs snout. Damn it."

"And what did they say?" Cinna asked carefully, knowing Gale's temper.

"Nothing, I walked out after that."

"Without being dismissed?" Effie gasped.

"I dismissed myself," Gale said.

"Well, that's that," Haymitch mutter while buttering his bread.

"They won't arrest him, will they?" I asked.

"Doubt it. Be a pain to replace him at this stage."

Sighing in relief before kicking Gale in the shins . . . Hard. He winked and mutters why I did that, only to receive a scorning glower. He shut up and at his food while I glared at him. It wasn't long when Cinna order, well mannerly to eat again. So going back to my supper Till Gale spoke.

"One man tripped backwards into the punch bowl."

Instantly we all burst out laughing, except for Effie for she just gave a small smile. "Well, it serves them right for not paying attention. It's their job and just because you're from District Twelve has no excused."

"I'll probably get the worst score," he said.

"Scores only matter if they're very good; no one pays much attention to the bad or mediocre. For all they know, you could be hiding your talent to get a low score on purpose. People use that strategy." Portia said.

She right, a girl from district seven, Johanna Mason. Tricked everyone into thinking she was a defenseless girl. No one bother to kill her soon, until she showed her true colors and killed mercilessly. I shivered to that. Had a nightmare of her for days when I accidently saw that game, when was a kid.

Smacking Gale on the back hard that he almost choke on the potatoes, "Hey, if your score is that bad, mine would probably save the both of us?"

"Well, by how detail your camouflage was," Cinna started. "And you climbing fifty feet and got your target with a blowgun. It may get you at least a nine."

"See, saves us both." I said cockily. Gale nodded before he gave a scoffed going back to his meal with an amused smile on his face.

Once we were done with dinner. We were back in the living room watching the scores being announced. As usual, the Career Tributes have an eight –to-ten score. The common average was five to the other tributes, though I was proud to see Rue's score a seven. Knowing our some possibilities in our future fates. Then came up District 12, immediately I squeezed Gale's hand. Both Gale and my picture came on with our numbers underneath.

Siobhan Underwood, score: 10

Gale Hawthorne, score: 11

Effie let out a squeal while everyone one else slapped us on the back, giving their congratulation on excitement. But we were to shock for words.

Ten, my score was a Ten. It was a good thing I made a deal with the Career girls, however. .. Looking at Gale, holding an emotionless face. Gale is now titled the most deadly competitor of the 74th Hunger Games.

.o0o.

Gale's POV

Eleven.

My score was an eleven.

"But how?" I ask Haymitch.

"Guess they like your temper," Haymitch said. "They've got a show to put on. They need some players with some heart."

The others agreed though Siobhan remain quiet. She looked down holding her token that Mark gave her. Till paused the T.V. on us, starring at her score. Maybe show found the courage not to give up and die? She smirked and looks at me with a deviant grin. I gulp, leaning back.

"Well Gale Lord of Flames. You just made yourself a number one target." She cooed.

I smirked back. "And so did you, Siobhan, Lady of fire. Guess we got to cover each other's back."

"We'll see." She sighed leaning back on the couch and stretch causing her shirt to rise, exposing more skin of her midriff. I gulped. Come on Gale, she's just a friend, just a friend who is soon to be your enemy. But damn, does she have a figure.

"Yes, that's it." Portia spoke, giving a pat on the back over exaggerating "Gale, Lord of flames."

"And Siobhan, Lady of Fire." Cinna said and gave Siobhan a hug. "Oh, wait until you see your interview gown."

"More flames?" she gulped.

"Of the sort," he said mischievously rubbing his hand together. I saw how uncomfortable she was, scooting back towards me. I practically am raising my arm to use as a shield.

"Haymitch, you're our mentor. Stop this!" she ordered.

Haymitch shook his head, taking another gulp from his flask. "Sorry Sweetheart. As I said before, don't resist."

Siobhan pouted in defeat. I feel sorry for her, but damn am I glad I wasn't born a girl. Somehow she felt my chuckles and slapped me on the chest. She got up standing in front of me, hands on her hip.

"Not funny, Gale." She said. "How about we give you a full on bikini was and set you on heels."

Cinna and Haymitch burst out laughing. I just shrugged lifting my foot up close to her face. "You think they make a size fourteen?"

Siobhan turned red, practically growling ready to pounce like a links. But instead she grabbed a pillow and smacks me in the head. I just laugh taking the pillow and adjust it under my head.

"Still short temper," I breathed.

"At least I'm not stubborn and arrogant like an ass." She growled that only Haymitch laughed to that.

I did as well. "Well, at least I'm not moody like a bitch."

"Jerk," as she cross her arms.

"I think you used that one before?"

"Dickhead."

"Heard it."

"Juvenile delinquent!"

"Ah, I always love it when you call me that. Though I do miss the woods."

Siobhan turn another shade darker, clenching her fist hard almost shaking, "Bastard."

"Hey, that's new." I teased.

Before I knew it she was on me, forcing me on the ground as we wrestle for a moment. I knew we're not actually fighting. It's how we role at times. Though having her over me, arms pined above my head, was a shocker.

"Pinned ya." She said triumph.

I growled and rolled each other again but still end up in the same demeanor. "Pinned ya again."

"Only because I let you," I scoffed.

She smirked, crossing her arms, raising a brow. "Right. . ."

Smirking I hooked my arms around her legs and flipped her over and straddle her waist. "And you were saying?"

Siobhan blinked shocked, her face turning bright red. Realizing our position I gulped and got off her. I offered her a hand which she accept but didn't look at me. We faced the adults as they gave a bemused look. Well except Haymitch, he was just laughing away.

"My word, what foul language!" Effie said. "We got a lot of work to do tomorrow."

"Tsk, shut it, Effie." Haymitch sighed. "They're only fooling around. That's how they role in the Seam's."

Effie gasped in horror. "You mean, rough housing and insulting each other?"

"She just called him a donkey, Effie." Portia defended calmly though giggling the same.

"And he called her a dog." Cinna added.

Effie shook her head no. "No, no, and no. Guess I have a lot of work to do tomorrow. Especially the interview in two days! You two won't be in the same room, we'll coach you separately. Haymitch you take Gale on the first half of his approach with Caesar. While I teach Siobhan how to be a lady."

Siobhan gulp standing behind me, using me as a shield. "I don't know what to fear. Cinna's outstanding designs or Effie boot camp?"

"I go with Effie boot camp." I chuckled before taking her hand. "Come on, let's go to bed."

She paused and though about it before, she asked to go on the roof for the moment. Impossible to resist; we went out onto the roof. Siobhan sat on one of the block legs close to her chest as she gazed at the city. I did the same only lean against the wall. We were silent for a moment till she spoke.

"Sometimes I find it hard to believe this place is where all hatred started from." She said and continued. "I read books, of cities that once stood before Panem. When this used to be America, the land of the free, that all men are created equal, and everybody have their rights. Did you know the original Capitol was actually near district Twelve?"

"No I didn't." I said. "Did it called it 'The Capitol'"

"No, they called it Washington D.C. Name after one of America's historical leader. Where all order was settle, living and settle a democracy. Where the people have control over their leaders. .. I wished I was born in that era where everyone has their independence. To live in the land of the free," She sighed. "But that's all history, gone with the ashes of change. How I wish to spread my wings and fly over the great waters and see the world. To know that there's another world, without hunger, pain, dictators, or better yet The Hunger Games. The Treaty was enough along with the obligations to supplement these . . . what's the word?"

"Selfish, spoil, cocky, greedy animals in awful disgusting outfits," I said.

She chuckled. "Something along those lines. I wish I could live and see the day when history repeats itself and Panem won't live out of fear, but in agreement, a truth's of brothers. How different are they from us and us to them?"

I was going to say a ton of stuff but I remain silent. It amazes me how much knowledge she knows. We were the same age and grade at school, but yet she's smarter than me. School textbooks only discuss about Panem but never the history of America or other countries outside the continent. In fact I wonder why they never offered and hands into this madness. Why not help end this barbaric rule and put an end to these Games. Many kids are being rashes murdered for the Capitols entertainment. While the lone survivor, the victors suffers the burden. I sighed and scratched my head.

"I don't know, Siobhan." I replied. "They are like animals to my animals."

"But aren't we animals as well?" She asked standing up to face me.

I looked down, as her head reached about to my nose. Her green eyes glazed with tears that never fall and her lips parted. Lost in her green eyes, I let go from all my self-denial, the chains that held me from my emotions and lean down to kiss her. She gasped, but didn't move, so taking this as a sign, I grabbed her around the shoulders and waist, carefully pinning her to the wall and continued to kiss her. She didn't respond, but I continued to express my feeling, how much I truly like her. When I pulled back, out of breath, I looked into her eyes and saw confusion. Her cheeks flushed and lips parted open. Shit, not good. This wasn't supposed to happen, but I got carried away.

"Siobhan . . . let me explain." I started.

But she shook her head and ran away. I tried to grab her hand, but she was too fast, as she ran inside slamming the door. I stood there shock before slamming my fist on the concrete wall.

"Damn it!"

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I couldn't resist and started the romance early.

Hope you enjoy and I'll try to get the next chapter updated soon.

And please leave a review, I like to read your opinion. Good or bad, your opinions would be appreciated.

Silent wolf singer