me: Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I totally don't understand Pre-Algebra and we have project after project.

Angel: This chapter caused FA more frustration then any chapter in this story.

me: Fang has so many mixed feelings in this chapter...

Total: Well, it's finally finished so hurry up and post it!

me: Okay! Enjoy!

Dislaimer: I do not own MR, only the plot and unrecognized characters.

-Fang POV-

I barely had time to think before the doors of the jet opened. "We believe in you, Fang," the Governor said, patting my shoulder. I saw Max in the door of the Southern jet, it's doors already fully open. The sure, I-Know-My-Goal-And-I-Won't-Let-Anything-Stand-In-My-Way look I had on my face vanished for a split second, but I could see Max's snicker.

Slowly we walked down the ramps of the jets through the grassy field, I tried to keep a firm and determined look on my face.

We griped hands in the normal before-battle meeting, and I watched the Southern jet start to roll out of the field over her shoulder. My eyes wondered to Max's dark ones, I couldn't take mine away. I tried to keep my face firm, like her emotionless eyes.

Finally I was able to take my eyes away, ripping my hand out of hers. Automatically, as expected, she turned around and headed for the woods, but so did I. I don't know why I did, our old Governor always said it made you look like a coward. Well, that Governor wasn't here anymore.

I rounded the first tree I saw and pressed my back to the bark. I slowly turned my head to look around it in time to see Max disappear behind a hill.

I took a deep breath and thought through my options. I could kill Max, or be killed myself. Neither option I really liked.

But I slipped out from behind the tree and swiftly but silently ran through the field and woods, trying to catch up with Max. I kept I hand on the handle of my sword as I ran, on the off chance that Max would sneak up on me. I kept on the lookout for her as I ran.

I hid behind another tree beside a fast stream of water. My hand gripped my sword as I watched the bank. I was almost tempted to get a drink when I heard a twig pop.

Max looked around her suspiciously as she headed for the edge of the water, her sword out and at the ready. Slowly she sank to her knees beside the stream, still looking around her as she sat her blade on the ground beside her. She cupped her hands and lowered them into the water to get a drink.

My heart felt like it would pound out of my chest as I carefully jumped from behind the tree and swung my sword.

Before I realized what happened, she was on her feet with her blade against mine, a smirk on her face. I froze as I watched her. Our swords wobbled against each other as our eyes met. I didn't want to be the first to make a move, and apparently neither did Max.

"Why do you want to win another Duel?" Max finally gasped. "The North has food to last a lifetime, while the South has to eat like mice."

I swallowed to gain time to think. Really, I didn't know why I wanted to win. I didn't even know if I wanted to win. "I owe it to my nation," I said, pleased with how that sounded. Now I honestly felt guilty. I did owe it to my nation. I shouldn't be hesitating to kill her.

Max shook her head. "No. You want honor. You want to be looked at as the hero again. The North doesn't need the harvest, you know that."

"I won't let the Northern people down." I swung the blade. With every step she took backward, I took one forward. We splashed into the water as I sent my blade lunging for her stomach. Her blade hit mine, shoving it back, but it still connected with her side, leaving a big ngash that automatically started gushing blood.

She made a weak swing at my throat but I hit her wrist with the dull side of my sword. Her blade flew out of her hand and into the bark of a nearby tree.

Max's eyes traveled from her sword in the tree behind me to my eyes. Her breathing was deep. "Go ahead. You have me right where you want me." She pressed her hand to her wounded side as she waited for me to make the final blow. I stifled a smirk.

I lifted my sword, but I couldn't. I couldn't kill Max. I silently scolded myself but knew I could never do it, at least not now. My eyes wondered to her side, dying her yellow shirt and her hand a dark red. She couldn't fight back, especially not with that wound. She would probably die from loss of blood anyway.

I put the sword back in the safety on my waist. "I'm not going to win like this," I said. Well, that was part of the truth.

"You're letting your nation down, letting go of an easy kill."

"No," I said. A million thoughts were running through my head, searching for the right words. "They wouldn't want me to win when my prey has no way of a counter attack." Yes, I realize I just called Max prey. I couldn't worry about that right now. "Get your sword and stop that bleeding, then we'll fight again."

I shot her a lop-sided grin/smirk, happy with my choice of words, and turned around, walking back into the woods. I walked a while, refusing to think about what just happened, until I can to a tall oak tree. I jumped up and grabbed a limb, pulling myself up and climbing higher into the tree.

When I reached the top I glanced out over Debt. Tops of trees clouded most of my vision, but I could see the patch of black to the north. Last year there had been two male Contestants. The Northern Contestant had started a fire while the Southern boy was sleeping, burning him alive, but also killing a few miles of forest.

The Southern Contestant last year had been a real jerk. It wasn't a problem for the Northern boy to kill him. Just like it wasn't hard for me to kill any Southerner, boy or girl, in any other Duel until this one. I really with this was the same.

But no, I was stuck with Max.

And I still couldn't sort out my feelings.

And I was caught between getting killed or killing the one I might actually love.

Ugh, my life is so messed up.

Don't think about it, Fang, said my conscience. Just do it fast and don't think about it. I took a deep breath and slowly climbed down the tree. I sat down, my back against the bark, and closed my eyes. I couldn't help but think what I should have done differently. Things could have been so much easier...

I was still sorting my messed up thoughts as I wondered to sleep. My last thought of the night was a silent goodnight to Max, even thought she would never know it.

me: Ugh, I am SO not happy with this chapter. I just have a headache from writing it and I don't feel like rewriting it.

Angel: I don't blame you.

me: I wrote the beginning of the next chapter at school, and my mom read it. It made me so mad, I'm just glad she didn't question me about it.

Total: Hope you like this chapter!

me: Yes! Please review! =)