Ciao, friends! Hope you all enjoyed chapter 9. This chapter is a lot longer, and it will explain a lot! In advance, I'd like to apologize, I don't know much about 's medicines/herbs (you'll get it when you get to it) but I tried my best to make it as authentic-like as possible!

Also, I don't know if its just that nobody is reading or if you don't like the story or just aren't reviewing but… please review! Every single one means soo much!

I do not own the Hunger Games.

Chapter 10:

*KPOV*

It was very early in the morning when I awoke. The brilliant summer sun was just beginning to poke through the misty, grey clouds above district twelve. I saw that Prim was still in a peaceful slumber, as always, so I turned over to my mother's spot to find her missing.

I began to feel pangs of worry as I sat up on the edge of the bed. Where is she? A patient's home? At Hazelle's? I stretched my arms over my head and stood up before walking over to the dresser. I took out my hunting clothes and some underwear, getting undressed before quietly slipping my day clothes on.

I walked out to the kitchen area and was surprised to see my mother, standing over a large bowl on the counter. I was then hit with the faint smell of some kind of herbal concoction, and I brushed it off as nothing more than a medicine for a sickpatient. I continued to quietly walk over to the space near the front door where I normally stored my jacket, boots and game bag. Upon realizing that my game bag was missing, I quickly recalled the past night's events. After a few moments of pondering, I recollected my memory.

Oh, Gale brought it over last night, he put it on the kitchen table.

I turned around to find my mother cautiously pouring herself some herbal tea.

What was she doing up so early? Wow, I'm out of it today…

"Good morning, Mom," I said to her, walking over to the table and slinging my hunting bag over my shoulder.

"Good morning, Katniss," she spoke quietly, "Hunting with Gale?"

"Yes, I'll be back later," I said, "Watch over Prim." I walked away quickly but quietly, not wanting to wake up Prim. Just as I reached the door, my mother spoke to me once again, this time in a worrying tone.

"Be… Be safe, Katniss."

"Okay," I said suspiciously, "I'll be back later today."

I closed the door quietly behind me and hopped off the front porch, hitting the ground with a soft thud. I began heading towards the boundary line of district twelve. I walked slowly, warily, through the desolate streets, listening to the delicate chirping of the birds. Trying to tune out the distant noises of miner's lunch tins and loud, booming voices, I let my thoughts roam, taking my mind off of district twelve. As I neared the boundary line, I picked up my pace and quickly searched for any sign of peacekeepers. There were none, as always, and I proceeded to duck under the fence and sprint into the trees. Once under cover, I walked slowly, pausing only to retrieve my quiver of arrows and my trusty bow.

I reached the meadow within an hour and saw that I was alone, Gale had not arrived yet. I sat down near the small boulder that I was familiar with and slowed my breathing, calmly watching the sun rise in the colorful sky. I paused as I heard Gale's familiar footsteps coming through the trees, and I stood up. Gale then appeared from the tree line, carrying his game bag and his hunting equipment.

We met in the middle of the meadow, both of us having put our things down already. He stretched his wonderfully muscular arms out towards me and I ran into them, happy that I was near him again.

"Good morning, gorgeous." he said, ending the hug and giving me a gentle kiss. I smiled up at him and saw that he was looking at me lovingly.

Those eyes. They peered deep into my being. I felt as if I was being frozen in place and in time, yet being slowly melted from the inside out at the same time. I snapped back to my thoughts, Say something! You've been standing there for half a minute, just staring him down! But those eyes…

"M-Morning, handsome," I told him, not very used to complimenting others.

"Let's get going, Catnip, sun's rising fast. Get anything on the way here?"

"Nope." Wow, I didn't even look out for any game. What is up with me today?

"Well I did! Got myself a raccoon on the walk over. Haven't skinned it yet."

"Oh, good! We'll definitely trade well today," Gale opened his game bag and handed the raccoon over to me.

"You're way better at getting the fur off of animals than I am," he stated. I began to skin the animal and soon, I had a bare raccoon to hand to Gale and a pelt of fur for my own game bag. It would be a very good item to trade at the hob. I opened my game bag and placed the fur inside, however, I quickly spotted a small glass bottle filled with herbs, a note tied around it. Not wanting to make a big deal out of what was probably nothing, I decided to just investigate it on my own.

"Gale," I spoke, not trying to sound suspicious, "Mind if we split up for a bit today? I saw a few birds nests up in the trees over there that are worth checking out, and I think it would be a good idea to see if you can get a few more coons. They bring high prices at the hob," I tried to be as convincing as possible, and I succeeded.

"Sure, Catnip. We won't be that far away, anyways." He gave me a smile and a tender kiss. "See you in a few."

"Yep," I said, grabbing my things and heading off to the forest on the opposite side of the meadow. As soon as I was well under cover of the trees, I quietly put down my things and sat down, game bag in my lap.

I opened my bag and set aside the pelt, searching through anxiously for the bottle. I found it quickly. It was filled to the top with some kind of greenish-brown herb mixture. No doubt, one of my mother's creations. But what was it doing in my game bag? Why had she indirectly given it to me? It was time to find out. I carefully untied the note from the bottle and unfolded it.

Katniss,

This is for you. You are getting older now, and I know that you are with Gale. I am happy that you two have finally realized your feelings for eachother; it was apparent to everyone else that they were there all along. He loves you very much, you know. I know that you are one to be very secluded and private about your personal matters, Katniss. I am taking a step towards you here. Inside of this bottle is an herb mix which prevents any chance of pregnancy. Eat one tablespoonful of this mix every day. I know that I have raised you well enough and that you are aware of the possible consequences of your actions. I want you to be safe, Katniss.

Mom

I sighed. This was just like my mother, to write a letter like this. However, I was also happy that she had given me this medicine. Deep down, I knew that I was very grateful for this. I knew that contraceptives, especially condoms, were not only highly illegal but very difficult to obtain. It was only in the richer districts which they were readily available. Knowing that I could have sex with Gale without a condom (I wasn't even sure of how he got them in the first place) and not run a risk of getting pregnant was a good feeling. I can't say that I hadn't been wanting more after the previous day…

*GPOV*

Damn, I wanted Katniss so badly. Her long, soft auburn hair, her soft skin, her smile, her eyes; her entire body and soul was like a drug to me. Every time I had it within my reach I couldn't resist it. And when I was away from it all, from her, all I could think of was the intense craving deep down inside of me and how incredible it would be to have her again.

However, I was far from her. I wanted her… I craved to make love to her again, to feel her wet warmth, to touch her smooth skin, to hear her heavenly sighs and moans… I became aroused at the thought of it all.

Ugh, I felt myself getting hard for her, can't you wait? You'll see her in just a little bit. You need to get more game… just keep hunting… focus on the task at hand… this is serious stuff… you need to do this for Katniss, for everyone at home… they need you…

I tried listening to my own advice for once, but when I tried trapping another raccoon, I failed terribly and just shot down a few more squirrels instead. My game bag was now mostly full, so I decided to sit down and start skinning.

As I tried my best (and ultimately, failed) to skin the game properly, I thought about how I was supposed to tell Katniss about the upcoming terror- I was eighteen , and soon I would have to start work in the mines. I needed to support my family.

I worried so much about my Catnip. She would be so devastated and horrified. I hated the thought that she would have to be without me all day and that she would have to go to sleep scared. She would feel so alone at night and she would barely ever see me. She would always fear the possibility that I could get seriously injured or even die in the mines. I loved her too much to let that happen, but what could I possibly do…