AN: I've been forgetting to put my disclaimers on my chapters…so here it is, I DO NOT own anything related to Kickin' It or Hunger Games.

I've thrown a twist into the plot in this chapter…hope you like it.

Official Members

Jack's POV

Something's going on with Kim. I know that Gale really bugs her, especially later, but leaving me out is totally new, and most certainly not a welcomed, development. Don't get me wrong, I trust her, I trust her with my life, and if she says that is was just something that she needed to do herself, I respect that…to a degree.

For one thing, we're supposed to be this team, right? And at first, I thought we were all on the same page – to get Katniss and Peeta home, to undermine the government, and to provide hope for the people of Panem so that they would want to fight for their freedom. Or at least, that's what I believed our goal to be.

Judging by Gale's reaction after the Blood Bath, he made it quite clear that Katniss is his only concern, which I can understand…again to a degree. I mean, if it was Kim in Katniss's place, I'd probably have acted the same. However, he has taken it upon himself to make the plan all about saving Katniss. The problem with that is the government still wins, the people won't gain any hope, and by not having hope, they have no reason to want to rise up against Snow. In order for Panem to unite, both Peeta and Katniss myst be crowned as Victors. The fact that Gale lost sight of that is what made Kim decided we needed a new leader…me.

Now Kim, I don't know what's going on with her right now. I know she wants to go home and she believes that by starting and ending this war, we'll be able to do so. Problem is, she doesn't seem to care who gets hurt, or, more realistically, killed, in the process. She's gone so far as to go and speak with Greasy Sae alone and set up a time for us to meet, which we are on our way there now. There are so many issues with that I don't even know where to begin. She wanted me to be a leader, so I made a decision as the leader. She apparently didn't agree, so went out and did what she wanted herself instead of speaking to us as a group. If she wanted to take the leadership role, I would have let her; I would not have fought her on that. I'm just confused on why she wanted me to lead if she wasn't going to follow.

And there you have it, some of the problems with our so called team. Truth of the matter is; I don't know if I'm the right person to lead. That's why my hope through this meeting is to join a group that's already got a set plan and sturdy leadership. I have never fought a war; most definitely have never organized one, it's only right for me to follow someone with more experience in this case.

"This is where she said," Kim's voice broke though my thoughts. "She should be here soon."

I jumped at the sound of chuckling behind me. "I'm already here. Come quickly." Greasy Sae disappeared down an alley, all of us quickly following. We came to a stop in front of a rusty door. "Hawthorne, do the honors."

Kim and I looked at Gale in shock as he pulled a key out and opened the door, a few seconds later he appeared with a lit candle. I sent a questioning look to Kim who only shrugged, grabbed the box and entered behind Greasy Sae. I shook my head as I entered the building. Gale knew about this? And he didn't fill us in; he didn't tell us a damn thing. And to think he was just preaching about teamwork. Go figure.

After closing and locking the door, Gale set the candle in the center of the table, casting the room in a soft glow. There was staircase off to the side leading down and a chair at the head of the table; otherwise, there was nothing else that made up this room in the run down building we had entered. I was standing next to Kim who set the box on the table. Crossing my arms, I leaned against the wall.

"So," I broke the silence, "you're already in on this then?" I asked Gale. This was quite literally coming out of nowhere. There weren't any clues or anything to him being involved with this underground group, or any underground group for that matter.

Gale nodded. "For the past four years now. I was brought into it when I was fourteen."

"Makes perfect sense if you think about it," Greasy Sae replied, taking a seat in the only chair in the room.

"Because he's close to Katniss?" I don't see how it would be of any help besides that." I stated, walking to the table, crossing my arms.

Greasy Sae clucked her tongue. "Child, don't take everything at surface value. Look deeper. Think back to the actual Reaping. He played his part perfectly."

"Played a part?" Kim shook her head. "So, Katniss already knows all this? We did all this for nothing? And you already know the code and what these papers talk about?"

"Yes, no, no, and no." Gale shot her a look. "My part was to get Prim away from Katniss and to not volunteer. And while Katniss is so great at hunting and surviving, she sucks at acting and lying and connecting with people in general. Out of all the people of 12, she's the most likely to kick ass in these Games. In order to assist in getting the people of Panem and the Capitol to back her up and sponsor her, we needed to pull on the emotional strings. Katniss, the girl who selflessly sacrificed herself in order to spare her baby sister's life. Makes for great entertainment, makes people want to root for her.

"Peeta," Gale continued with obvious hate for the male tribute, "was also chosen for a reason, and Haymitch set it up perfectly for the Star-Crossed Lovers. So, now Katniss has attention on her for not only being the one to sacrifice herself for her family, but also for being dragging into the Games with the one who lovers her more than anything. With it being a game where only one can come out alive, their love is doomed from the beginning. So, all the attention is on the drama filled tributes from District 12.

"Now, while this has been planned for years now, what wasn't, that you two came up with, was getting them both out alive, which is brilliant! Because if it gets pulled off, not only will we have disturbed the government, but we will light the spark for the people of Panem sooner, to make them revolt, to destroy Snow."

"But how did you make sure that Katniss and Peeta got picked?" I asked. There was a lot Kimd and I had to catch up on if we were going to be a part of this colossal movement.

"Simple, by having people from the Capitol, and even some of the Game Makers, on our side," Greasy Sae replied with a grin.

"There are people from the Capitol and the Games in on this?" Kim asked. "How long have you guys been at this?"

"Oh, about a few years after Haymitch's victory of his own Games. We've been perfecting this for a long time, waiting for the right person to come along. We already have some Districts with us, thanks to Haymitch. Then Katniss came alone, progressed amazingly quick, and it was agreed that she would be the one we launch our plan with. So, our informants and allies were all implanted to their designated areas to help make 12 ignite, if you will."

"How did you train Katniss for the Games if she doesn't even know any of this?" I asked as realization hit and my eyes focused on Gale, who slowly nodded.

"She was my first assignment after I joined," he said with a sad smile. "It started out simple, help teach her the basics of survival, worth with weapons, get her used to it all. Becoming hunting partners was a great way to teach her without her knowing it. Then, before you knew it, we were inseparable. By becoming like family to each other, it's not odd if people see me questioning the Games, because she's in them, so I'm not a threat…or so they believe."

Kim cleared her throat softly. "But why did you choose Peeta and Katniss? What made them the perfect pair?"

"Katniss already had the mind set. She's never agreed with Snow, has never liked how everything has come to be. She's always questioned the government," Gale explained, leaning against the wall. "After the mining accident that killed her father, she was forced into a main provider position in her family. That allowed her to tone her archery skills and learn some new ones from me. That made her our prime focus. It was just natural for her."

"As for Peeta," Greasy Sae cut in, " Haymitch made that decision on his own. He knew of a situation that had happened between Katniss and Peeta and had observed on multiple occasions, Peeta going out of his way to see her. Doesn't take a lot to draw conclusions from there. Besides," she added, "Haymitch is one of the main leaders, we trust him."

"But Haymitch is a drunk, how can you truly trust anything he says?"

Greasy Sae clapped her hands with a laugh. "Exactly, boy!"

I looked questioningly at Gale. "Haymitch does get drunk," he said, "but most of the time, it's just an act."

"After all," Greasy Sae cut in, "who will believe words of a known drunkard? Who's actions and words can be written off due to alcohol consumption."

Kim shook her head. "You guys have really planned to every detail."

"Of course, it's time to take Panem back," Greasy Sae said with a grin. "The only reason you two yet breathe is because Gale here has deemed you two trustworthy and loyal to join our cause." Gale gave an affirmative nod. "Down the stairs with ya both, time to be formally inducted."

I took a hold of Kim's shoulder as she started for the stairs. "Wait." Kim gave me a confused look, but stopped. "What do you mean by 'formally inducted'?"

Gale looked at Greasy Sae as she stood. With a single nod, Gale moved his shirt aside to show a mockingjay burned into the upper right part of his shoulder. At the same time Greasy Sae removed the glove from her right hand and showed a mockingjay burned into the bottom of her palm.

Kim took in a sharp breath. "You want us to get branded?!"

"We all have the mockingjay burned onto us somewhere. The location is your choice. This is how we know who to trust, places we know are safe," Gale to pointed to the top left corner next to the door. I didn't see anything at first, and then a small black indention caught my attention. Releasing Kim, I got a closer look. Sure enough, it was a very small mockingjay carved into the wooden frame. "The mockingjay is our symbol, if you haven't noticed. It's a symbol of rebirth, impossibilities, victory, and rebirth. You want to be a part of this, then you need to embrace the mockingjay."

I silently nodded, going back towards Kim, who also nodded. "Alright then," I said, "looks like you have two new recruits."

"Then you both have quite to learn, and in a hurry." Greasy Sae headed down the stairs with us in close pursuit. "Training starts tomorrow, Gale will your trainer for now."

Coming to the base of the stairs, there was a fire going in the back of the room. The fire's glow showed a huge mockingjay painted on one of the walls, a map of Panem with notes posted all over it on another, and a picture of Katniss and Peeta with notes all over it, and a map of the arena right next to it. On the other wall was a detailed aerial map of District 13, which threw me off. I was told that District 13 had been wiped out and that's what the Capitol video also said. "Why do you have a map of 13?"

"All in time, child, all in time," Greasy Sae replied. "But first, who be the one to enter into this wonderful cause first?"

Just as I was about to speak, Kim's voice rang out. "I will." I looked over to her, slightly surprised that she came and hugged me. She had been so distant before, it was nice to feel her against me as we embraced.

"Are you sure you are ready for this?"

She slowly nodded. "It's going to hurt like hell, but will be worth it after everything's said and done."

I nodded silently in agreement, hoping those words were true. She went to join Greasy Sae by the fire, Gale clapped my shoulder. "Are you sure want to be in the room while she goes through this?"

I nodded once again, not taking my eyes off her. "I'm her support…and she is mine."

Greasy Sae picked up a wet cloth. "Where will yours be?"

Kim rolled up her pant leg, exposing her calf, "On the inside part, closer to the ankle." Greasy nodded, gesturing to Gale.

"Gale will be holding the area still. This is going to hurt and I'm going to need you to try to stay as still as possible. Do not be afraid to scream, we're underground in this room, sound does not escape these walls very easily."

Kim nodded as Gale moved to hold her leg from moving. Locking eyes with me while Greasy Sae washed the site, I gave her a small reassuring smile. The smell of burning flesh assaulted my sense and Kim's screams were like a knife through my heart.

As the mockingjay brand was pulled away from her leg and replaced in the coals of the fire, Gale moved to dress the brand, Kim on the verge of losing consciousness. "Is she ok?" My voice came out soft, seeing her like this killed me.

Greasy Sae nodded, "Don't worry, it's her body's natural form of defense. You'll be the same, now come."

Walking over to the fire and Greasy Sae, my stomach filled with nerves. Kim was strong and rarely gave in to pain, I was the same, and if she was hurting this bad, I was about to do something that I'm sure will be the most torture I've ever experienced in my life, the most pain, and the only things I have to help me through it are my discipline from martial arts, and Kim, who is currently unconscious. Grabbing up the cloth, Greasy Sae turned to me. "Where at?"

Taking my shirt off, I pointed to the right side of my chest on the side. Since all the others have it on the right, might as well continue the trend. Greasy Sae nodded, motioning for me to lie on my left side on the table next to the hearth. Gale came and grabbed my arms. "No matter what, don't move." I nodded, though truthfully, if I'm in a ton of pain, I'm not sure if I'll be able to control my body movements.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to prepare myself as the cool cloth left my skin and searing heat quickly replaced it, shooting through my body, blinding all other senses. I opened my mouth to scream out but the only thing I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears. The pain was by far the worst thing I've ever experienced.

The sweet relief of the branding iron being removed was short lived as pain quickly moved in to replace the heat. The pressure on my arms went away, letting me know Gale had had released me to dress my brand I'm sure, but I didn't have the strength to open my eyes just now, as I slowly slipped into a pain free unconsciousness.

AN: There you have it, chapter 10, hoped you like it! Please read and review. Have a great weekend!