I' m so sorry for not updating fast enough. I hope you enjoy this chapter. By the way, I've started this chapter on my birthday! That's a good birthday present from... me to you? Haha, sharing is caring.

Enjoy!

Cato POV

I've officially become hooked. The way her hair cascades, her laugh, her fit physique, the way she carries herself... everything. It's all stored in my mind, brought up every time that I see her. When I gather water, all I can think about is her. Her scent, her smile, her love for her family.

It's addicting.

But every time that I end up showing slightly affection towards her, she's clueless. Can't see what I'm doing, apparently. I know we had something the night I woke her up from her nightmare. I can feel it. Ever since then, she'd end up on my cot one way or the other, whether it be the occasional nightmare or right from the end of our daily stargazing.

Some days, she tells me about different constellations her father would show her back in the twelfth village. There, on the edge of the wood, they would sit outside and he would tell stories of legends, ones of heroes or animals, tribes from inside the forest, and many more. It was interesting to hear about the bears and animals that would have to overcome life's challenges. It's easy to relate to. Some were Greek and had unusual names, such as Cassiopeia or Andromeda.

My favorite happened to be that of a bird, a swan to be exact.

It was based in Greek mythology told of two close friends, Cygnus and Phaeton, who were continually competing. One day, they each challenged the other to a race across the sky, around the Sun, and back to Earth. In an effort to gain the advantage, they both cut too closely to the Sun and their chariots were burned up. They both fell to the Earth and were knocked unconscious. Upon recovering, Cygnus began looking for his friend, Phaeton, and discovered his body trapped by the roots of a tree at the bottom of the Eridanus River. In an effort to retrieve his friend's body and give it a proper burial, Cygnus repeatedly dove into the river, but could not reach his friend's body. While he sat grieving on the bank of the river, Cygnus begged for Zeus to help him. Zeus replied that if he gave Cygnus the body of a swan, he would be able to dive deeply enough to retrieve his friend's body. However, if Cygnus did take on the body of a swan, he would also be giving up his immortality and would only live as long as a swan would normally live.

It was a great tale, yet sad, considering he lost his friend. I enjoyed it most towards the end, because Cygnus' image was placed in the sky. I imagined true friendship to be to knowing someone better than anyone and experiencing amazing things together. But selling your soul for just a grand burial is beyond describable... or not if it was in a story. But the way Katniss' voice rises and falls as she tells the story has me hooked. It's melodious, her tone sometimes hushed or strong to show the certain stages of the story. It's captivating and every word is one I hang onto.

The morning following the night of another stargazing was agonizingly slow. When I got up from the cot, Katniss was far up against the other wall, her arms covering her face while her chest rose and fell. Her hair covered her eyes and her legs are tangled in the worn blanket. I laugh, rubbing some sleep out of my eyes. The sun was shining brightly and judging on how many days I've been here, it's late September. The weather doesn't change much in between the summer or winter months. In late fall, the nights can be cooler and even though it is warm, you can still get goosebumps. The fire pit in the hut helps a lot, keeping it warm and homely. It's easier for Katniss to fall asleep, I realize, with the fire burning.

And one night, when I pretended to sleep, I heard her sing for the first time. It was outside the cabin, soft and very quiet, but I could heard enough of the lyrics. It's haunting and I've had it stuck in my mind since. The song

Come little children,

I'll take thee away.

Into a land of enchantment.

Come little children, the time's come to play,

away from the garden of shadows.

It went on and on, making shivers crawl up my spine. It was dark indeed, but very enticing and thrilling. I'm guessing it was a lullaby, one that I fail to remember as a child. Many of my friends' parents would sing them to sleep, as they told me. Some sang of light from the sky, while others hummed of the future filled with riches and new found places. But now, I've forgotten every word to every song as each year passes. My memory fogs up about my old home, except for the kitchen and my parents' room, having gone in when I swore I heard monsters. But they just held me, not saying a word and sang. And all that I held onto for the first six months is now gone. The songs. The love. And my parents.

My mind will drift to them sometimes, either when I'm alone on the beach, skinning and gutting fish, or when I'm with Katniss, while she hunts with her new bow I had finished a week before. Its wood is light, the ends held together by knots and hooks from the thin rope. The curve it carries is elegant yet not the overly dramatic ones from a long time ago. The arrows are long and sharp, easily cutting a finger if you accidentally scrape something.

What surprises me is her aim. Every shot was exactly in the eye, except for the first few, which must've been for the lack of a bow here. Because of the amount of animals she brings back dead, we've become stronger and healthier. My muscles and legs are the same, but the glow I have from being nourished occupies my face.

Same goes for her. Her hair has grown slightly, but so far, it looks the same: brown, curly locks that drift down to the bottom tip of her lower torso. She'll occasionally trim is with a knife, just to the top of her hips, which she's currently at this morning. And I have to say, we both needed a clean-up.

"Cato!" she yells, as I try to lay back on my cot. Walking inside with newly cut hair, she stands up tall.

"What?" I reply grumpily. She woke up early and wants to take a trip to the other side of the island. But on this accord, we'd need to bring extra supplies, considering it's a day's time journey.

"Look, get your lazy ass off the cot. Why not try the other side?" Katniss drags out. "It won't kill us anyway. What is there to lose?"

I snicker. "Buttercup," I say mockingly as the cat's ears perk up, after hearing his name. He mewls and continues licking his paws, ignoring both of us. Katniss just rolls her eyes and chuckles.

"I'm sorry, but that cat drives me nuts." Ever since that day that Katniss arrived, they've butted heads even though she has the obvious advantage. He just hisses at everyone and waits for the entrails we bring him. As he continues to lick his paws, I shake my head in approval and sigh.

"Fine. But if we don't find anything useful, we won't go back. Okay?" I gamble. She smirks.

"Deal."

Meanwhile...

He was furious. The only prisoner that actually gained him money and wealth was gone from his grasp. She was dangerous, having been seen with a weapon. Most women in the town were dainty and fair. But she was rough and that excited most of his guards, earning him well needed amounts of currency.

The King will get his revenge. No one can escape him, even if they've crossed the seven seas. He will find Katniss Everdeen, even if it's the last thing he does. Her mother and sister stay in their home, depressed at the two losses of their daughter and sister. But the only two people King Coriolanus knows who would find the hag are in his grasp. One washed upon the shore a week ago, his hair wet and messy from the sea. The other is locked up after a robbery for the girl. And both will lead him to her.

The first was identified as Haymitch Abernathy, who was a close friend to Katniss and happened to be on the exact same boat she escaped on. They tied him in her prison cell, right across from the other.

The second was Peeta Mellark, who was locked up at the age of eleven. His dull blue eyes reflect through the bars as Snow walks up with six guards. Three each get one of the prisoners, hopefully enough to escort them to his vessel. The Capitol ship was his favorite, with golden tapestries and dark wood sides. It was grand for a ship, one of his finest. It also happened to be his father's ship, King Hiram.

The guards brought out the captives in chains, their bare feet dragging across the dusty floor.

"Stand," the King commands harshly. The gray eyes of the forty-year-old glare at him menacingly, but this brings no effect to Snow. He's just as menacing, even more so during war. They both stand and the King's guards march them down the steps of the tall building. At last, they make their way to the door and they open it with ease.

After another ten minutes of walking, the nine men board the ship. Haymitch and Peeta are chained to the walls of the boat, groaning as their joints are slumped into the same position they were merely thirty minutes ago. While sharing looks at each other, Snow strolls to the front of the stern. They leave the harbor, carrying a willing crew and more guards in which are worried yet pumped about finding Everdeen.

And they were off, hoping to find the little run away.

Some of you asked about Haymitch, so I wanted him to come back. Did y'all miss him? I sure did. I love Haymitch!

Okay, so most chapters will be carrying two scenes: One for Katniss and Cato on the island and another for Snow's voyage. Sound good?

Oh, and the full song that Cato heard Katniss sing will be released in another chapter.

Reviews were phenomenal for last chapter! Keep it up! And I apologize for the time of not updating. I have been so busy these last few days.

See you soon!

~HeyoMyFellowReaders101