A/N: Changed the author's note to the beginning, because I really wanted to apologize for such a long delay. 5 months was a way extreme hiatus, and I am so sincerely sorry about that. I have been able to find the time and will be able to go back to regular updates on this story. Christmas break is couple days away and I will be able to catch up on tons of writing. Well unless we don't die in a few days (lol jk, I don't believe that at all) I've been really wrapped up in school, sports and homework, and when I had the time I go wrapped up in other fandoms, you can probably tell from my new profile pic so yeah. Before you read I have no idea if there was actually a day between interviews and the games I just put it there for writing reasons. Chapters kind of short, but promise the next is going to be super super long because well the games are a lot to describe. Again super sorry, hope this chapter is okay.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar or The Hunger Games.

Chapter 12: Let the Games Begin.

It was the last day before the tributes were to enter the arena. They all had one final day to get any last minute advice from their mentors, or to do some quick training. With only one more day to go, the tension was growing thicker; tributes were sizing each other up, making the final decision on which their first kills would be. Time was growing short and patience even shorter.

Aang couldn't understand while they put this day in between interviews and the games. It was like locking up two moose lions and placing meat in between them, they could look but not touch. This just made them angrier. He figured this was the strategy anger the tributes which means they'll attack quicker and make things more bloody and entertaining for them.

Currently, he sat meditating in his room, trying to avoid everyone else. This morning when he went down for breakfast, Aang could feel just about everybody's eyes attached to him, like he was some piece of food. It made him nervous and just ten times more anxious about everything else. And meditation was the one thing he knew that could keep him calm.

The covers of his bed were soft under his bare legs; Aang was dressed in just his underwear and gray t-shirt he found in the closet. It was his room, why not just be comfortable. His mind was blank and everything around him was calm.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Aang quickly chose to ignore it, in order to keep the peace.

. KNOCK. This time it was louder, but he still remained sitting.

"So, help me Twinkletoes, I will break this door down," the quiet of meditation shattered around him as the sound of Toph's voice echoed through the door. Sighing, Aang stood up from the bed pulling on a pair of sweats, he didn't know why Toph wouldn't be able to see him, but it still felt awkward and went to the door.

"Good afternoon Toph," Aang answered, sarcastic smile on his face. Toph walked into the room without another word.

"Afternoon to you too, Twinkletoes," the Earthbender responded, plopping down onto the bed where he had just been sitting. Aang sat down next to her.

"So what's up," he asked.

"Didn't wanna stay down in the lounge any longer, the careers sounded like they were about ready to bite each other's heads off, I didn't want to be caught in the middle of that," she explained. She laid face down, head resting on her hands.

"I don't understand why they have us wait a whole day before entering the arena, have they even done this before," Aang answered.

Toph just shrugged: "They probably have cameras set up, and it's like a new show, Pre-Hunger Games Entertainment, watching as we bite and snap at each other." The two laughed at the thought.

An awkward silence fell between the two as the conversation died away. Aang coughed uncomfortably and rubbed the back of his neck. "So, um, Twinkletoes, did you, uh, did you mean what you said at the interviews about me," Toph suddenly interjected.

Aang was a little shocked at the question; he didn't expect Toph to bring that up. "Well uh, of course I did," Aang replied.

"No, I mean, that wasn't something your mentor told you to do because of getting attention or something," she repeated.

"If you haven't noticed, Yangchen's not the manipulative type. I was being completely honest," the Airbender said gently.

Toph smiled at him. "Well that's good, cause I would've beat your sorry butt if you'd been lying," she joked.

Another silence fell over them, but this time it was comfortable and understanding, so Aang decided to take a change. Leaning in, he placed a hand on her chin and pressed his lips against hers. The kiss was only a simple touch of lips; considering both of them were inexperienced they weren't going to get any farther than a chaste kiss, but it was loving and sweet at that.

He pulled away, placing his hands on either side of her face and smiled proudly. Toph wrapped her small arms around his waist. After a few seconds, they lied down; the two spent the rest of the day in each other's arms.

Zuko was angry, well that wasn't unusual he was always angry, but this time he was angry at himself. He'd managed to piss off some of the other careers yesterday when they were forced to do nothing but wait. And that was not good. It was bad enough he was a target because of his skill, now they more reason besides just wanting him gone.

He sat in the small metal room, with the glass tube over on the side taunting him. Less than fifteen minutes away he would be fighting for his life. The thought made nerves clench tight in his stomach. He closed his eyes, fifteen minutes. He jumped at the hissing the door made as it opened up.

Sighing in relief, he realized that it was just his mentor Roku.

"You look nervous," Roku replied sly smile playing across his face.

"No kidding," the Firebender scoffed. Zuko scooted over and offered a seat to his mentor.

"There's not much advice I have left to give, I've told you everything I know that could possibly help you win. But I know you're a strong person, Zuko, I believe you can win this," his mentor assured.

"Thanks, Roku," Zuko responded. He gave a weak smile, though his words were encouraging he still felt negatively about everything.

"Five minutes," the automated voice echoed in the room. Reluctantly, he stood up and went over to the small metal rack in the corner of the room. Zuko grabbed the black suit, pulling it over the simple gray clothing he was already wearing.

Zuko took a deep breath, as he zipped up the jacket, time was flying by and each second he was closer to his imminent doom. "Two minutes," the voice said again.

He turned to Roku one more time and received an assuring smile. Closer and closer, time was slipping, but no need to focus on that, he needed to make his main goal surviving. The only he could do was survive and win this. "Please enter the tube," the voice spoke one last time.

Without hesitation Zuko stepped into the glass tube, as it closed his heart clenched, no going back. He looked up and watched as he was raised into the sunlight.

Katara's heart was beating out of her chest as she stood on the platform looking at all the tributes surrounding her. The countdown had begun and with each other second her mind raced faster.

43….42…41….40….39

Run, find shelter, and avoid the cornucopia, Kuruk's voice echoed in her thoughts. Though she couldn't help but scan over all the things piled up around the metal cornucopia; things that could help her win.

25….24….23….22…..21

Time was cutting short, only so much more time to work out what there was left to do. Katara was getting anxious.

10….9….8…7…6

She counted down along with the ominous echo voice.

5…4…3….2….1

Run.

A/N: Sorry again about the shortness, it should be much longer next chapter. Expect it to be posted by next Wed. or Thurs. Thanks to you that still stay and read. I am so embarrassed about the hiatus, I will make it up to you. Thanks:)