Disclaimer: I don't own any rights; the hunger games and all its characters are property of Suzanne Collins.

My heart skips a beat when our lips meet. So strange. It's not even a real kiss, more like a peck on my lips really, but still, it has more effect on me than it should have. His actions baffle me. When he retreats, all I can do is stare at him, totally perplexed as he calmly averts his attention to Rue and Thomas. 'I would be happy to join, if that's okay with you guys.'

They both nod without the slightest hesitation. 'Of course. A friend of Katniss is a friend of ours,' Rue's says friendly. She obviously enjoys our brief moment of romance, grinning from ear to ear as she takes in the scene. I moan softly, although I don't know why. This is what I wanted, right? Being with Peeta so that neither of us have to face the dangers of the arena alone.

Thomas yawns loudly, bringing me back to reality. It's also contagious. After all, it is still night, and we didn't get much sleep before the fire started. Now that we are safe we all begin to feel the results of our lack of sleep.

'I'm exhausted. I had better get those leaves before I get too tired. If those careers are still nearby, they would have found us by now.'

'I'm going with you. After all, you're doing this for me,' Thomas says to Rue. Before she has time to disagree, he grabs her hand and pulls her to her feet. He smiles at Peeta and me. 'Besides, I'll bet you two have a lot to discuss. We will be back as soon as possible.'

'Alright. Just don't go too far,' Peeta warns them. 'We will try to stay within hearing distance,' Rue promises us, before they disappear into the foliage. 'Thomas, don't run off like that , slow down! Thomas!' We hear their laughing voices slowely dimming, being replaced by the normal nocturnal sounds. Gradually, Petta turns his attention back towards me. 'Is everything alright? You look pale.'

'I'm just tired, that's all,' I mutter, pulling my legs up so I can lay my chin on top of my knees to rest. I'm not ready for another confrontation with him yet. 'Yeah, I know the feeling,' he agrees, leisurely lowering himself onto the soft moss the forest has to offer. Suddenly, he catches sight of something. His hand touches my shoulder. I groan and cringe from his fingers when I feel a surge of unexpected and agonizing pain. 'You've been injured,' he says.

I can only nod. 'Is it serious?' I ask, as he examines the wound with painstaking care. 'Well, it could have been a lot worse, considering the falling trunk just barely missed you,' he reassures me. 'It's red and all, but I only see a blister. And it is not even a big one. Just be careful it doesn't get infected.'

I cannot help but sneer at this. 'Yeah right. As if I will ever live that long.'

'Don't worry. As long I'm around, I will make sure of that.' The sincerity of his words astonishes me. I cannot place it. I know he's only playing the star-crossed lover part that he and Haymitch have dreamed up, but he is becoming very convincing. Maybe a bit too convincing. 'Peeta? Why did you kiss me?'

I hear him sigh behind me. 'Because I wanted to.'

I turn my head, so I can look him in the eye again. 'No you didn't,' I whisper, so he's the only one to make out what I am saying. 'I know the game you're playing and I won't fall for it so please, don't use me Peeta. Please.'

I better should have kept my mouth shut. I'm aware of that the moment he turns his face away from mine, but not before I've seen the upcoming anger in his eyes. 'And here we go again. I should have known. Sometimes I wish-' Then his demeanour suddenly changes and his face takes on a surly expression. 'You know what? Never mind.'

We fall into an uncomfortable silence, none of us knowing what to say. After a while, it is he who breaks it again. 'You know, I don't get you. You say you don't want to be manipulated, yet you have no trouble manipulating others yourself.'

'Sorry?' This sudden accusation hurts me more than his fingers did when he touched my burn.

I have absolutely no idea were this is coming from. 'Me, manipulating others?' I repeat uncertainly. 'What are you talking about?'

'Please Katniss, I'm not an idiot. First you've asked me to become your ally, and then suddenly you changed your mind and decided to group up with the careers instead. And when you didn't need them anymore, you betrayed them just as easily, shooting one of them in the process. Don't get me wrong. I don't feel sorry for Marvel at all. And I'm glad you chose to save Thomas, I really am. It's just…'

'Just what?' I feel vexed and the sting his statement inflicts goes straight to my head, making it very hard for me to think clear. 'Are you afraid I will turn my back on Rue and Thomas as well? Is that it? Well, think again, because that will not happen. And yes, I used the careers for my own benefit. So what? You cannot blame me for not having a death wish.'

'Keep your face neutral, please,' he instructs me. 'I don't want them to think we're arguing. As far as the people in the Capital are concerned, we are supposedly to be in love.'

'Oh, to hell with that silly game. And besides, why not? It's not that lovers never quarrel. Anyway, at least I now have my bow to defend myself with. And what do you have? A backpack with a survival kit? Tell me Peeta, what will you do when you encounter one of the others if you are unarmed?'

Another pause. 'I'll manage,' he says eventually.

I blink as tears well up. 'No, you hide behind others. Like you did with me back at the river. So don't be all mister righteous with me. You're no better.'

'Oh, I'm not saying that. It's just…don't you see you're playing their games at the moment? You do exactly what the capitol wants you to do, pulling every little trick in order to stay alive. Even if it means sacrificing others?'

'Like I sacrificed Thomas to stay in good terms with the careers? Sorry, but I don't have to listen to this,' I try to get up, not wanting to hear any more, but he grabs my wrist, holding me firmly at his side.

'Just be honest with yourself Katniss. Would you have risked their wrath if Cato hadn't been so into you? If you had just been one of the gang, like Clove and Glimmer? Because somehow, I doubt it.'

'Get...your…hand…off…me,' I maliciously spit every word at him, struggling hard to prevent my imminent tears . I try to free myself from his grasp, nevertheless he won't let me go. He's looking me straight in the eye, challenging me to refute his words, which he knows I can not. Those damn blue eyes. 'What do you want me to say? That you're right?'

'No. I just want you to work with me. Please. Stick to the story I've told the Capitol. If you're so keen to win this game…then apply our story as a means to get what you need to survive. Utilize the Capitol's sponsors. Give them the show they want.'

Reconsidering everything we've just have said to each other, I cease my struggle. I even begin to wonder why I'm acting so stubborn; after all, he's just trying to help me. 'Alright,' I assert after a moments thoughts. 'I suppose I could do that.'

He smiles in relief, letting go of my wrist as I'm not fighting him any more. 'Thank you,' he whispers. I only nod. So he wants me to give them a show, huh? I lean seductively towards him, encircling his neck with both arms. And I kiss him. Not a peck on the lips like he did with me. This time, I'm going for a real kiss. His eyes widen in surprise as he tenses, but he doesn't break away from my embrace. I lure him even closer towards me. Unexpectedly, I begin to relax and gradually close my eyes as I gently nibble at the soft structure of his lips. When he respondses, an intamate flame is arousing between us. Strange. All those times Cato had kissed me, even when it was forced, I felt a pull in my stomach, which, I have to admit, was pleasant. But with Peeta, it's not just a pull; it is more like a smoldering sensation which transforms itself into a swarm of butterflies. I gasp for air when I break our kiss, overwhelmed by it.

Out of the blue, the cannon volleys once more, announcing another death. The only question is: who died today?