***Disclaimer; I don't own the hunger games nor its characters.***

***Still rate M for a reason. Still going to have questionable language, violence & acts of god only knows what described here. Still same bat channel.***


You've been warned


The Raven's Bride

Chapter 8
The Blame Game


Brutus & Mace walk in & if that didn't shock him the next person who walked in did. Mace's mother Crystal. Before Cato said a word Brutus put his hand up. Brutus said;

"Before you rip my head off there is a lot & I mean a lot more than even 'you' realized happened. You need to hear the whole thing 'before' you judge Cato."

Brutus then looked to Mari;
"Are you up to it?"

"Does Leni know?"

"She's on her way has we speak."

Leni arrives a few minutes later.
"Okay will somebody ple..."

Leni stops at the sight of Crystal Hermes. Then she goes off;

"YOU! How dare you allow that raping psycho disgrace our district! You fuckin' bitch. If I had known that Brick was your son, I'd never let him make it to the arena for what he did to Mari. I knew it.. District Two's Murdering Momma..."

This is when Mace stopped Leni from going on since it was making both Cato & Mari more confused than ever. Mace took over the conversation;

"ENOUGH! ! I am going to take over & have my say in this if its the last thing the 'you' (pointing to his mother)ever do. Now before anybody here goes off, I am going to explain what happened that led to this bullshit that should've never happened in the first place. I ask that everybody stay quiet until I finish. Trust me in this (looking at the couple) you're going to want to hear this.

Six years ago when I told my 'mother' that I was to volunteer I did not know was my mother, had Brick add something to my drinks which caused me to passed out & in doing so injured myself. On top of the fact that my mother had Brick & Ace break into the reaper's office where the balls were that year. Brick's only fault was he put 42 of the male balls with just Cato's name in them. After the reaping when the Peace Keepers escorted Tom from the stage, I confronted my brother. After Brick he gave me some bullshit story saying it was only a joke that I looked into it more that is when Mari here confronted me. I had told her everything that I knew then. I found out even more later. This is why I never forgave Brick for the deed. Many things I will forgive but Brick knew I would never forgive him for lying or, treason which he did both on YOUR (pointing to his mother, Crystal) ORDERS!
I had told Brick after he tried to kill you in the steam trunk incident, if he ever pulled another stunt, any stunt again I would turn my back on him & throw him to the wolves. So I did, especially since in that reaping he murdered my best friend, Tom. I told him that he better spill & spill quick before I spill his blood all over district two. He did. It was all her (pointing to his mother)! ! Mother you are an monster of the first caliber. You had Brick hire Marvel for the attempt on Cato's father. All because he rejected you after he found that you cheated on him, twice. You killed dad because he was going to get help for his problems because he 'embarrassed' you for having them. In fact living with YOU was the problem because YOU fed his addictions then berated him for it. TELL THEM THE TRUTH MOTHER! ! For once in your damn life, tell them it was you.

Now (looking at the young couple) when I said there were numerous attempts on your lives, I was not kidding. Mother had Brick throw stones at Mari & berate her daily in front of everyone. He went through a long list on including the time Brick locked Cato in a building on a dare then left after he set it on fire. Only after Brick & Ace left that Mason & I rescued Cato while Corey got Brutus. She had him do unspeakable things to harm you both. Cato the only reason Mari wasn't raped the night of 'your' Victory ball was because I was there. THAT'S RIGHT MOTHER I WAS THERE! ! I made sure that Brick & Ace were restrained by Corey & Mason. After Brick's first attempt to kill Mari when she was only seven, the three of us agreed that they would report everything that those two did to Brutus & I would be Mari's shadow. Mother had hired a hit man to take out Dad because when he finally stood up to Mom & said he was getting help, she tried to pin it on your father. Cato you noticed that my late brother was left handed? (Cato nods)
Well he isn't the only one in the family who is. Isn't he Mother? (has Mari gasp) LOOK AT ME MOTHER & HEED TO WHAT I SAY AS HEAD OF THIS FAMILY! YOU are going to be committed for the rest of your life in a high security insane asylum. YOU will never be freed from there. SO GET IN YOUR LAST SIGHT OF YOUR FREEDOM WOMAN FOR NOW I WASH MY HANDS OF YOU! !"


At this his mother pulls out an old Peace Keepers Gun points it at Leni & calmly states:

"Oh son, I don't think so. If anybody 'here' is a disappointment its you. Then again you were never a Hermes's. You & Cato are closer related that you think. When Hadley rejected me because I was with child, his child I vowed revenge against everything he ever loved. Why do you think I didn't give two shits that you were picked that year. Only after I humiliated you was that part of it over for the time being. I had bigger fish to fry.

Beauty isn't she Leni. I kept it all these years just for this occasion. It's the same one that kill the brat's (pointing to Mari) father after he figured out that it was me who was the real master mind. (At this Cato puts himself in front of Mari who has been the real target all along.) Has for your 'father' Mace well that was all Brick. My beautiful boy always had a bit of a temper. Well what can I say. Boys 'will' be boys. Since Mace wants me to tell you yes I planned it all. The whole thing since Brick would only brag about. I wanted Mari to suffer for if Mari suffers so does Snow. My beautiful boy Brick wanted you to suffer Cato. He almost succeeded. Now I can complete what I was suppose to do & in doing so it'll make sure my Brick gets what he wanted. Just get out of my way Cato."

"Only over your dead body you fucking bitch."

"Really, do you have to be foul & rude too? Didn't you mother teach you any manners, you insolent bastard?! You think I'm leaving here without killing Snow's little pet? Think again. His God-daughter. Other than his roses she is his pride & joy. I feel its 'just' pay back for my kid brother & my Brick. Now move or I just might shoot Leni first."

The door then opens to see the President of Panem just coming off the elevator. At this Crystal shoots him hitting him in the chest. She fires three more shots. Leni who dives behind the chair just missed getting hit. Has she turns to fire at Cato he's shoved out of the way at the last second by his wife who was hit herself in her lower leg has she was diving out of the way. Mari grabs her injured leg but not a peep comes out of her.
Then additional two shots are fired. One by a Peace Keeper who kills Crystal instantly. The other fired by Crystal who hit none other than Brutus in the arm when he pushed Mace out of the way to protect him. Brutus's was a through & through. Mace goes over to Cato who is holding Mari adding pressure to stem the blood flow. He yells to the Peace Keeper:
"Get the medics here! NOW! I didn't plan on this to happen Cato."

"I know Mace (without looking up)."

"I should've known the possibility. She's a retired Peace Keeper."

"Mari did. Why did she push me out of the way?"

"There are times that you're a idiot Cato! I can even tell. She loves you. How bad?"

"Not bad, through & through her ankle. Nothing vital was hit but she hit her head against the back of the chair. I'm concerned Mace. This morning they drew blood for test again."

Has Cato puts her on the stretcher.
"Cato?"

"I'm fine. Don't ever do that again. (has Mari closes her eyes) Mari stay with me."

"Always."

The country's newsreels banners read:
"President of Panem dead! Nations mourns the death of President Snow by an assassin's bullet. Two Victors received injuries in the process. More details in national broadcast."

Yet in a way Crystal Hermes may have just done her country a big favor. Not many people mourned the death of President Snow yet there was a young Victor who mourned the death of Uncle Snow her Godfather.


Two Days Later...

"Damn it Brutus! You promised me she wouldn't get hurt! You promised that you would keep my baby safe! YOU call this 'safe' damn it?!"

"Maria she's fine. Mari's one tough cookie. However boy is she going to pretty pissed off at us."

"I don't give a fucking rat's ass! ! She's my baby. My baby Brutus!"

"Mari... Mari? Mom's here my brave, brave girl."

At this Mari opens her eyes to see a very relieved Maria Castle looking down at her. She also notices her leg propped up in a sling & an air cast up to her mid calf. Her Mother then informed her;

"Your ankle is broken baby & it's in one of the few spots that won't heal completely with the healing medication alone. This one will take time my girl. But don't worry Mom is here. Mom will make it better."

"Mom? Where's Cato? I want my back rub."

Brutus chuckles & was about to leave to get Cato yet Mari had other plans as she looks at Brutus then said to him;
"Freeze right there Mister! And if its what I think it is Brutus, you better promise me to make an 'honest' woman out of her right now!"

Maria laughs as she went to go get Cato instead. Brutus looks at her;

"You were preparing for the arena. We never planned this but we got close overt time. Your mother & I have been seeing each other in secret for nearly over a year now. Ever since Cato won his games. I didn't want Snow to know Mari. For this I do have my reasons. I would like to ask for your mother's hand & I would like your blessing for it."

"You're going to make her happy, right?"

"Every single day. That I promise."

"No shotguns, I hope?"

"(chuckling) I should hope not!"

"Then you have my blessing. (Not to be out done by any male family member, Mari grabs him by his collars) You better make her a very happy & I mean a very, very happy woman for the rest of her life mister. Because if you don't remember this, my husband is a Victor & I have Chinese Stars. Believe me when I say I know how to use them."

Brutus was laughing even harder with Mari has Cato ran in;

"Hi."

"Hi yourself. Mari we got to talk about something."

"There seems to be something still missing here, Cato."

"Such as?"

"You, towel, smile & my back rub damn it! Hello?!"

"I promise when we get home you will get everything you want. I promise. If you keep saving me like this, people are going to wonder about my abilities."

"He's gone isn't he?"

Brutus nods to Cato. He leaves to go talk to Maria. Cato knew he couldn't put it off anymore & he promise not to lie to her when she went into surgery.

"Yes. He was there with the Peace Keepers to collect Crystal from Mace when she shot him. Her goal was to use you to hurt him. I guess shooting Snow himself was a bigger bonus."

"I think Brutus should run for President."

"His name has been brought up. Here & in the districts."

"He could win it. End the games. No rebellion. You're mad at me aren't you?"

"No. Not mad very grateful you're alive but do me a favor?"

"I'll try. What is it?"

"Quit scaring everybody! People will think you have a death wish. Also what's with Brutus?"

"He's been seeing Mom. He wanted my blessing to pop the question. I gave it to him."

"He asked me since technically I'm the man of the family now. I told him only after he gets your blessing. We still have to talk. Your blood work came back."

"Can it wait. I'm just really tired."

"You should be because Mari... I'm just going to come out & say this, re..."
Just then Leni bust into the room;

"Damn it! Couldn't you two have you waited a week for me to win! It would've been a clean sweep this year for me in the pool! Mitch is 'never' going to let me live this down!"

Mari now looks at Cato:
"Leni, Cato was about to tell me something. I think you beat him to the punch there. I better get my back rubs as soon as I am sprung from here mister."

"Okay, you're not going to be in here that long. If all goes well tomorrow afternoon at the latest. Until then because our quarters are now a crime scene. We're staying in D-2 with Leni & Brutus. Leni is going to stay here while I get some things for tonight & I'll be right back. Also get use to these (has Cato points to the crutches) because even through the bullet went through it still broke one of the bones in your ankle. You can't put no weight on it for the next four weeks."

Leni looks at her protege with pride. They talked for awhile including that the Victor interviews are delayed for two weeks being one Victor has mourning sickness & the other is recovering from a gun shot injury.

"What about the funeral who is chief mourner for him. Most of his family is... Oh my god Leni I think... Holy shit!"

"What Mari? What are you thinking?"

"That Crystal is responsible for more than just the attempts on Cato & I. I think Crystal has been killing off Snow's family for years. Say since a certain kid brother lost his games. Mom & I are the last of the family left."


Leni popped her head out of the room into the hall sees Brutus kissing Mari's mother;

"Jesus H. Christ! Can you two keep your paws off each other for ten fucking seconds?! (as they break apart) Brutus whatever you do, don't leave Maria's side & have Mitch with the guys guard Cato now."

Brutus & Maria go in where Mari explains how through the years Uncle Snow has lost family members starting with Aunt Amanda & the kids. It was about the time Crystal would've retired from the Peace Keepers after her kid brother lost his games. The deaths continued through the years an accident here, an explosion or fire there, blamed on the rebels of course. What if it was Crystal the whole time? Brutus starts calling the other Victors.

"Brutus please Cato may be in danger still. Has anybody kept tabs on Mace too?"

Just then Cato walks in with Mitch, Finnick & Blight in tow while out in the hall Mace is in a white straight jacket strapped down to a gurney. Cato went straight to Mari who wouldn't let go of him.

"I'm okay. Mari I'm okay."

Mitch went ahead & said it;

"Can somebody PLEASE tell the rest of us just what the hell is going on for fuck's sake? Oh. Hi Leni. Why is that kid out there high on Jacker venom? For fucks sake it took the three of us to hold him down after he hit Jo-jo & Jemma."

Mari had to ask;

"Is Jemma okay?"

"Yes she's fine. Can't say the same for Jo-jo though. Knocked out two of her teeth. Gloss is beside himself."

Brutus looks at Mari & Maria mutters;

"Damn. There's another. The old guard is pushing back. Okay since Mace was hit change of plans. Mari we're springing you out of here now. Cato, Maria get her ready. Blood work came back on Mace. Cato call your dad it's a boy. Everyone else get on the cells & move everyone to D-12 now. I'll explain along the way."

"Brutus?"

"Yes Mari?"

"Has anybody kept track of Ace's brother Marvel? As I said before, they were close."

"Mitch call Gloss now. The kid's hi..."

"Done deal Brutus. (Looks at Mari) I think I'm going to like you kid."

Mari just smiles back at Haymitch while still holding on to Cato.


Later that night...

Marvel was arrested for being part of the conspiracy & the murder of President Snow. Including attempted murders on Mace as well has Cato. Cato was his true target because of Mari. In his statement he laid the blame for everything on Mari for hurting his brother Ace who was going to offer for her but found out from Brick she was contracted already with Cato. Ace it turns out really did like Mari. He really wanted Mari but after finding out about the match Ace thought that the pair were playing him. Ace was so hurt he vowed to get even with both of them for playing him like a fool & never looked back. When he found out the truth about Mari from Brutus that day at Cato's, his hatred for Mari ran too deep to change. He forgave Cato but Ace never forgave Mari.

Just to be on the safe side Gloss had Cashmere & Jemma stay up there in the D-12 suite with Cato & Mari.

Mari was the Chief Mourner at her Godfather's service three days later. Mari spoke;

"Many people did not know I was his God child for a good reason. I made the request not to be known for that. Uncle Snow knew I wanted to be respected for my own talents. It was why he allowed the youngest five to go home. That was for having a wedding at the Capitol for the country. I never asked anything from him. I earned everything on my own. I think that is why he respected me more. I earned my way in this world. He always said hard work always had its own rewards."

Per President Snow's will was interred into the family crypt at the Capitol where after Mari said her final goodbye it was sealed shut for all time in stone. It was his way to have everyone to move on after he was gone. He wanted all to move forward & not look back including his favorite God child.


***Sorry it took so long.***
***Flu bugs suck ***
***Happy Mother's Day from the rubber room of the nut farm.***