Chapter Thirteen

After five long months of training the day had finally arrived. Katniss, Prim, and her mother had slept together in Prim's home that night. They showered and dressed in matching outfits. Flames were embroidered on their pants, and long sleeves. They were jumpsuits designed by Cinna for every one of the four victors, again tributes of District Twelve. He wanted them to know that in their own way they were rebelling even as death was coming for them. Katniss' mother braided both their hair the same way she had done for Katniss years five years ago.

They walked together, heads held high, in between their peacekeeper guards. An edict by President Snow, for such a rare Games. Prim, Gale, Haymitch, and herself each had four Peacekeepers at their sides. They walked the path from the Victor's Village. It was roped off with a blood red carpet extending the entire length of their journey. Cameras were lined along the path to get every angle, every emotion.

All four wore masks of hard determination and pride. This would not break them. They were victors, and nothing the Capitol threw at them could hurt them. They were warriors forged in battle, and they were ready. Katniss and Gale had clearly gained muscle and weight since their last appearance on Capitol Television. Haymitch's training had payed off, since neither were allowed to leave the Village since it had begun. No cameras were allowed in District Twelve since the debacle a few months back. Once again, President Snow's orders.

The people of District Twelve felt hope well inside them. Katniss was not sad, she was not afraid. She was holding her head high and strong. If she was to be strong, then they would as well. She, who was the best of them, would not fail them. They had gathered earlier as was customary, but not one of them worried for themselves or their own children. No this year, they would cheer for their Mockingjay, and follow her to the end. They all knew who would be going into the arena.

Katniss and Prim took their place at Effie's left, while Gale and Haymitch took her right. They stood together looking to the crowd. As Effie played the video from the Capitol, she looked to her victors and tried not to cry. She could not muster the energy to show the Capitol in a bight bubbly light. She followed the words of her speech, as she always did and walked to the bowl, just like she always did. She reached into the bowl as she had always done. She hated the murder of innocent children as she had always done. With a bitter smile she called out.

"Ladies first." She gripped one of the two papers inside. She felt the weight of that tiny insignificant slip more than any year before. She opened it slowly, with reverence, for the name on the paper not what it symbolized. "Primrose Everdeen." As it happened, it truly was her name on the paper.

Katniss had stood forwards and pushed Prim behind her. "I volunteer as tribute!" She screamed as soon as 'Prim' had escaped her lips. She held her sister behind her protectively. "You won't ever touch her." She snarled at the camera closest to her.

Effie held a hand to her heart. She teared up, seeing just how much Katniss cared about her sister. Even knowing the outcome, that was pure love and true hate flowing from her. Effie tried to remember Haymitch always telling her it was not her fault. How he could endure this for twenty five years, she had no idea. She had barely held on for eight.

"It seems we have a volunteer. Though no one should be surprised. Katniss has always been clear she would lay down her life for her sister." She waved Katniss over with a teary smile. "Come here dear."

Effie dreaded this moment. The only thing Haymitch instructed her to do was say Prim's name. She looked over to the man she had been in love with for eight years. She slowly walked over to the bowl holding two more names of people she loved. Katniss, Prim, and Gale were her victors. She had done her best to save more, but she had these three. She had saved these three from death. Now the Capitol was going to try to take them away.

"Now, for the men." She reached into the bowl and slowly brought the paper to her eyes. She unfolded it and kept praying. 'Not him, please just keep him safe.' She saw the name and it was pulled from her lips with a breath. "Haymitch Abernathy."

"I volunteer as tribute!" Gale shouted as soon as Effie had finished speaking, seeing the tear fall. "I'm not letting Katniss go in that arena with an old drunk!" He to spoke to the camera and glared at the audience. The people watching knew where that fire was directed.

Effie held a hand to her heart and took a breath of relief. "We'll, there we have it. Our tributes for the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen, and Gale Hawthorn."

The five of them were being rushed off the stage by the Peacekeepers. "But, but they get to say goodbye." Effie turned to see the audience adapt the same looks of fiery determination and holding their fingers out in salute.

Katniss, Gale, Haymitch, Prim, and Effie kissed their three fingers and held them out, even as they were being dragged off the stage. No words were needed. They had all come to understand what this day would mean. This was the beginning of the end. Whether for them or the Capitol, time would tell.

As they were being ushered onto the train Darius was quick to pull a stumbling Haymitch onto the train. "Peeta and I will keep them safe. I know what to look for. Stay alive." He whispered into his ear.

Haymitch shoved the man off him. "You keep that mother of theirs safe. I'll worry about bringing her back." Haymitch growled loudly. He watched as Darius walked off and looked to Katniss. "How many men are in love with you Sweetheart?"

Katniss blushed as Darius leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Good luck Katniss." He called as he sauntered off the train.

"I don't honestly know anymore." She whispered. "I don't even know why."

Haymitch threw his hands in the air. "Alright, stuff yourself. We'll watch the other Reapings and get the rest of our strategy together then."

Katniss felt her stomach drop, because soon she would see which of her friends were going to be in the arena with her. "I'm not hungry."

"Stuff your face missy. That's a damn order!" Haymitch roared. "You need to put on some fat, now."

Gale grabbed two plates, and started piling them with foods they both liked. "I'll spoon feed you Catnip."

"Screw you Gale."

"I'd like that too." He teased, and it reminded her so much of Finnick. She glared at him and sat down in front of a large television replaying their Reaping.

"I'll make sure Finnick hears about that one."

"Can't we all just get along? We're all we've got now!" Effie stamped her foot.

Katniss whipped her head around and saw the tear tracks running down Effie's face. "I'm sorry Effie."

"I know Katniss. Now why don't we dig in and make ourselves a plan." She painted the bright smile on her face. "We've got a big big day ahead of us," she sang out. Effie, always the constant, always the same no matter the pain.

"Alright Effie," Katniss agreed.

Haymitch felt his jaw drop. "How did you do that?"

"It's all about manners Haymitch. Something you still don't understand." Prim smirked coming out from behind Effie.

Haymitch groaned and grabbed himself a drink. He needed something to take off the edge. For now at least they were safe. "Just turn the TV up."

Katniss wrapped her arms around Cinna. "This is perfect!" She called out looking down at her frightening dress. She looked like a warrior queen now, she just imagined how it would look once she was on fire.

"I wanted to make sure you looked the part." Cinna was careful with his words. He handed her the button to the flames. "You'll know when to push it Katniss."

Katniss took the button and nodded. She walked to her chariot. Cashmere, Gloss, Johanna, Blight, and Finnick were all reaped. She had cried, screamed and broken several expensive items on the train after watching the Reapings. Effie had called her terrifying. Haymitch had never looked at her more proudly. Apparently that was what he wanted from her. Terrifying, fear inducing, fiery Katniss Everdeen.

She shouted, and tried to twist out of the arms she felt wrap around her from behind. She managed to get loose only to hear the laughter of the one she had been scouring the crowd for. She looked to Finnick and her jaw dropped.

"F-finnick. Where the hell are your clothes?" She gasped.

Finnick stood proudly before her and looked pointedly down. "Right there."

Katniss felt her eyes move and she blushed red as she realized he was not actually naked. At least not technically. "How is it covering everything?"

"Well, now it might start to have trouble. I don't think Cinna has ever put you in anything this sexy before. I liked those little girl dresses. You were so cute." Finnick teased reaching out and pulling her into his arms.

"I guess I out grew them." Katniss had to try very hard not to feel the slowly hardening thing pressing against her stomach.

"Mmm." Finnick leaned his lips to her ear and whispered. "I can see that."

"I'd love to borrow your outfit someday though." Katniss shot back, trying to set him off balance for once.

Finnick was stunned. Suddenly imagining her in nothing but the fishnet wrapped around her body. He shivered at the thought. He leaned back and held out a sugar cube. "Perhaps I'll let you wear it tonight. Sugar cube?"

Katniss felt the heat of her blush spread from her face, to her ears, neck, and even upper chest. She tried so hard to play aloof, but with Finnick's arms around her it was almost impossible. "Why would I want that?"

"If you see something sweet better grab it." He emphasized his point by wrapping his other arm around her tighter. "So, come on kitten. Grab it."

"Odair!" Katniss warned, reaching her breaking point.

"You'll be an Odair soon enough love." He popped the sugar cube into his mouth. Finnick gave her his widest truest grin and pressed himself onto her lips. Katniss gasped at the sudden contact and felt Finnick flick to cube into her own mouth. He pulled back with a satisfied smile. "I love you."

Katniss grumbled as she sucked on the cube. "Cocky, arrogant, sensual jerk."

"What was that Girl on Fire?" Finnick continued to joke, knowing it made her happy. Even when she was trying so hard to be mad.

"I love you too." She whispered softly to him. Afraid if she spoke any louder someone would rip him away from her. There was a loud buzzer informing them that they needed to mount their chariots. Finnick could not help one more joke.

"Do you need my help mounting?" He waggled his eyebrows.

Katniss felt her mouth drop open. She stared up at him in utter disbelief. "Finnick!"

Not discouraged he lifted her into his arms and carried her over to the chariot. He set her down gently and gave her hand a soft kiss. "I love you Katniss. Now show them all what taking me away from you will get them."

Finnick's ploy worked, as before his eyes she transformed. She was no longer the seventeen year old girl dressing up as a warrior queen. She was now the goddess of war, reading herself to burn those in her path. Any who dared cross her would feel her hate and be burned to dust in her wake. She now looked every part the Mockingjay they needed.

He looked to Mags already standing in place. His heart hurt seeing the woman he loved as a second mother here with him. Mags had been going in no matter what as well. He wanted to make the little time she had left happy. Mags knew she was not likely to make it long enough to reach the third night. She had seen enough death in her long life. She was ready to rest if that was what came to pass. She missed her husband, she would be glad to see him again. None of those reasons made Finnick feel any better. He hoped if she had to go it was quick, and painless.

Finnick watched impassively as the chariot started moving. He waved and smiled, but his eyes showed his contempt for these games. Women were crying out his name in a mix of desperation, sadness, and hope. Finnick stopped smiling then. 'They dare to hope she dies and I live. Wait until you see her.'

The screams were deafening when Katniss and Gale were finally pulled out. Katniss' glare was on every screen. She looked towards President Snow and leveled her glare upon him, no other was as worthy of her ire. As soon as she saw him flinch under her gaze she pressed the button and burst into flames. The audience roared, but her only attention was on the elder man clad in white trying not to cower in his boots.

'I will burn you and your Capitol to the ground.' She thought, her lips curling into a deadly sneer. She raised her head even higher, looking down on him even when he was so much higher above her. Katniss could see the flinch masked by the cough racking through his body. All eyes were on her, but hers were glues to him. 'You've tried to tear apart my family, threatened my loved ones, and threatened my home. Even from here, I will defeat you Snow.'

The roars continued the rest of the way towards the Presidential Podium. Gale caught a white rose and offered it to Katniss. She took the flower without breaking eye contact and set it to her dress. The false flames licked at the rose, and she crushed its petals in her grasp. Her sneer turning into a smirk as the man who thought himself so high widened his eyes with fear. Snow was quick to cover up his surprise as the District Twelve chariot came to a stop.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great honor I present to you the tributes for this very special Quarter Quell. Seventy-Five years ago our ancestors sat down and decided that we as a people needed to be reminded what this peace cost us all. We are again reminded that though we have come to love these tributes as our own, sacrifices must be made. Peace, must be held or we will perish as both the Districts of Old and the Capitol decided. So in these games we will witness the best of us fight in the arena for the proudest title of Ultimate Champion. And through the sacrifice of the others, remember that war comes with a cost. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor."

Snow read the speech written by Plutarch Heavensbee. The words were well beyond anything he could have expected from Imperia. Once again, as his eyes cast over his people, he saw the effect these words held. Plutarch had advised him that the public opinion of the Games had dwindled in the Capitol. Many of their favorite victors had been reaped. However, the speech had made the Games once again seem as a proud fight for the ultimate crown. His people were crying out praises and cheers of excitement, not mourning as many had been just a few minutes before.

'You have once again proven your worth Heavensbee.' His eyes drifted to Katniss Everdeen once more. 'We shall see just how much he can turn the people against you Miss Everdeen. You will not torch my empire, not now not ever. You are just a bird flitting around. An annoyance to be sure, but I shall clip those wings and silence your voice. If you will not sing for me, you will not sing at all.' Snow thought while staring her down. 'You may look like a warrior now, but these Games will show what you really are. A scared little girl playing rebel.'

Haymitch made sure to guide his two rebel's to the Tribute Center. He held tightly to Gale's arm, while Prim kept her hand locked with Katniss. That was key to be seen. Katniss and Prim together, a family being torn apart. Effie led them along with a big smile.

"You were just marvelous my dears. Just what I would expect from two of my favorite victors," Effie trilled.

"What about me Effie?" Prim asked with a cute smile.

"Why of course you're my very favorite Primrose. You at least listen to what I've told you about manners. And you are just so cute!" Effie spun on her heal and held her hands over her chest. "Now this is something really special. We get to stay in a very special Tribute Center. The Capitol spared no expense."

"Why is it special?" Gale grumbled. "Because they are killing victors this year?"

"Manners!" Effie huffed, she turned around and spread her arms at the luxurious building before them. "Drink it all in. Haymitch that does not mean the liquor." Effie shot over her shoulder, her large shoulder pads hiding her grin.

"Yes mother." Haymitch droned. "Shall we head on up?" He pushed one of the buttons and looked to back to his charges. His gray eyes widened and he smiled. "Well here comes trouble."

Johanna Mason was stomping their way, being trailed by a smirking, but jogging Blight. Impressively even in the six inch stiletto heels, and tight dress Johanna was moving with ease. "Hold the damn door. I need out of this fucking dress!" She hollered.

Effie, grabbed Prim's hand and pulled her to the side, away from the elevator. "Prim and I shall wait for Cinna and Portia. You three go on ahead." Effie looked to Johanna and gave a shake of her head. 'No need for her crass nature around little Primrose.' She decided with a firm nod to herself.

"Alright." Katniss held the door open and kept her eyes out for Finnick. She nearly shot out of the elevator as the female stylist from Four ran her hands over her fiance's chest. "Odair!"

Finnick looked towards her, eyes widening and began jogging towards them. Katniss, stood aside for Johanna and Blight. "Uh oh, someone's jealous." Blight teased.

Johanna pulled Katniss into the elevator with a smirk. Katniss glared at her when the doors began closing. "Consider it payback for letting someone touch him like that. I'd have stabbed my stylist in the eye if he pulled that stunt."

Katniss rolled her eyes and looked between the two. "You really should fire your stylist. You're a tree again."

"I know!" She stamped her foot. "And Blight here still gets to keep his beard and be Mr. Lumberjack. I'm the damned tree to cut down!"

Blight began to snicker. "Oh come on." He pointed to his shirt, which was more a plaid tight vest which accented his toned abs. His one size too small blue leather pants were so shiny it made Katniss' eyes hurt. "My bits are numb. I can barely move in this."

Johanna turned her back facing Gale and gave him a half lidded gaze over her shoulder. "Unzip me?"

Gale froze for a few moments, and when Johanna started lifting her leg he moved to find the zipper. "In here?"

"Now please, before I find something sharp to rip this off me." Her eyes drifted to Gale once more after eyeing her shoes thoughtfully. "Why so shy hunter? I can be your prey." She purred.

Gale's fingers had just found the zipper, and instead of pulling it a little in his shock he pulled it down to just above her hips. "Uh, no thanks." Gale tried to hide his blush to no avail.

Katniss rolled her eyes to the ceiling and let out a groan. Blight elbowed her side. "I still think it's funny of all the women Finnick could have fallen for he picks a modest virgin."

Johanna stepped out of her dress and gave a shrug. Apparently her stylist thought undergarments were unnecessary for her. She was bare before them. "I think it's kinda cute."

Haymitch, about to comment, shut his mouth and stared along with Gale as Johanna bent over and undid the straps on her shoes and stepped out of them with a pleased moan. "Whoa." Was all he could manage.

Johanna turned to the now red faced occupants of the elevator and smiled. "Isn't this fun?"

Blight the only one able to speak, knowing Johanna better then the rest, replied. "Beats killing each other in an arena for television."

The group shared a dark laugh. The elevator opened to floor seven. Johanna stepped out with a seductive grin. "Let's do that again hunter. Better keep those eyes on me. Who knows what I'll do next?" She cooed as Blight followed out after her.

Blight turned with a smirk. "Better not let Finnick off easy. He basically just showed Panem everything he has to offer."

Katniss' blush turned from one of embarrassment to anger once again. "Maybe I'll have a bit of fun with him then."

"That's the spirit!" Johanna's voice called out as the doors shut again and they were back on their way up.

"We'll at least we know they've been training." Haymitch gave a wide grin.

"Yeah, training." Gale mumbled.

"How do you know that?" Katniss wondered.

"You have no idea how often that girl ran around my house buck naked." Haymitch's grin grew more perverted by the minute.

"It was always quite a view." Gale offered.

Katniss scrunched her lips and glared at the both of them. "Men!"

'So this is what they mean by morning after.' Katniss thought as she watched Gloss puke all over the training room floor. Cashmere looked pale as a ghost, even as she rubbed her brother's back. Blight was not fairing much better. Johanna was happily laughing at him and twirling her ax around with a perky smile on her face. 'That's everyone but-'

"Good morning beautiful." She felt arms wrap around her and pull her tightly into the broad chest she felt safest against.

"Finnick!" Katniss squeaked.

"You never answered the door last night. I waited for you for hours." He pouted leaning down to rest his head on hers.

"Perhaps you should be more selective on who touch you so intimately." She tried to pull away but his arms only held her tighter.

"Are you jealous my kitten? You know that while others touch, this," he ground out. He pulled back and spun her to face him. His hand gestured his body, as his eyes leered at her, "is all yours."

Katniss felt her face heat and she treated him with a roll of her eyes. "Finnick it's too early in the morning for this."

Finnick leaned in and gave her a swift kiss. "Not if you had let me into your bed last night."

"Finnick!"

"Well looks like the gang's all here!" Johanna sang loudly, smirking as three groans were heard.

Gale's attention turned to Johanna and he gave her a proud smile. "Any good with that Ax?"

"Did you learn how to throw a knife?" She countered, while swinging the weapon with deadly grace and proficiency.

"How about I show you?" Gale motioned towards the knife throwing station.

"We'll see if your skill are up to Gloss and Cash's standard. Come on you two. Time to get to work!"

"I just need another hour or two of sleep. Come on we all know the training, one week isn't going to get us anything more." Gloss whined.

Cash rubbed her head and glared at her brother. "No more alcohol for us. We need to be sharp."

"Fuck off. I'm not giving up my liquor."

"If Gale beats you, you better believe you will." Cash threatened with a pointed stare.

"Remind me which one of us is older?" Gloss snapped.

"Mentally or Physically?" Blight teased with a small smile. "Because from what it looks like your sister wears the pants in your family."

Gloss wobbled to his feet. "You want a piece of th-" Gloss bent over and began puking again.

"Nope. You go on and get your ass beat there buddy. I'm going to play with edible plants." Blight gave him a pat on the back.

"Yeah you," he belched, "go play with your plants."

Finnick rolled his eyes. "You know I thought we'd come in here sober and looking like killers. Sadly enough Brutus and Enobaria look far more deadly than us. We outnumber them three to one."

Katniss looked over to the duo from District 2. Her eyes caught Enobaria and she bared her teeth and hissed. "Yeah, let's just hope we can find a few more allies."

Finnick looked at her surprised. "We have a pack of District One, Four, Seven, and Twelve. I think we're big enough already Katniss." Finnick looked down to her and sighed. 'You can't save everyone Katniss, and the more people around you the more likely you are to get hurt if they die before the end.' Finnick thought, knowing how much seeing her friends die was going to hurt his gentle hearted love.

"Haymitch wanted us to go woo District Three. That was it." Katniss gave him a soft smile.

"How do those two make us more deadly? They aren't physical fighters, they're mental. Jo calls them Nuts and Volts."

"Which makes us look weaker. Also you should never underestimate smarts. They give more of an edge than brute force." Katniss reasoned while raising her eyebrow. "How do you think I did it?"

Finnick held his hands in the air. "Yes yes, you and Haymitch played all of us Katniss. You going to go make friends then?"

Katniss reached out and gripped his arm. "I'm sorry I didn't let you in last night. You can come with me. Besides you're the charming one."

"Always. Now let's go make nice with District Three." Finnick wrapped his arms around his love and glanced over to Mags, who was currently napping. "But tonight we are talking about our wedding."

Katniss gave a small nod. "Shh. Not so loud."

Finnick gave a chuckle. "Why not. Everyone should know that I plan on marrying you before we enter the arena. You'll be mine if only for a while." Finnick spoke loudly on purpose.

"Finnick!"

"I mean how else am I going to get inside those tight pants of yours!"

"Finnick."

"I've been waiting for our wedding night for years my little kitten."

"Odair!"

"Yes Katniss, you will be an Odair soon enough. We should focus on training though."

"You know what. Go tie a knot or something." Katniss huffed throwing her hands in the air.

Finnick laughed. "You know I could show you the best knot in the arena." He offered with a wide grin.

"Oh really?" Katniss raised her eyebrow.

"Come on." He pulled her over to the station. His hands worked one of the ropes into a noose. He kept peeking out of the corner of his eye making sure Katniss was focused on his hands. She was fascinated by the knot. He placed the noose over his head and tightened it. "And well, they, you know."

Katniss gave a soft chuckle, while trying to remain annoyed at him for his earlier jokes. 'I know he does it to make me laugh. Still, where everyone can hear?' "Funny. Should I use this on you?"

Finnick's lips curled into a dark smile as his eyes burned. "Oh please don't be joking kitten. I would love to be tied up and at your mercy." He offered the end of the noose to her slack jawed form and whispered hotly. "You wanna take me for a walk?"

Katniss, bright red in the face was stuck between smiling, blushing, fuming and shaking. She stormed off her body doing all these things at once. 'How can he make a noose sexy?' she groaned, mentally. 'Heck he makes everything sexy.'

"I'll take that as a no then?"

"Dammit Odair!" Katniss growled, refusing to look back to him as the smile continued widening across her face.

"I love you too!" Finnick called out with a smile.

He turned to go grab a trident from the weapons wrack and noticed Enobaria and Brutus talking with the tributes from Districts Five, Nine, and Ten. They all glanced his way, and again Enobaria hissed, at him this time. 'Well that's not good.' Finnick glared back at them. 'Then again they are noticeably weaker. I doubt they are forming an alliance. Though District Five has some contenders this year.' Finnick kept his eyes on them as he passed. 'Probably promising to go after us first, the rest later, if they back off.' Finnick took note that both District Eight and Eleven were left out of the talk.

'Our group is big enough as it is. Who knows how many of us we can even get out when the times comes. I don't even know how many of us will survive that long.' Finnick tried to keep the darkness out of his thoughts as he gripped the steel of a trident. 'Katniss is the only one who has to survive. I just hope I can stay with her.'