Katniss's POV

I woke up on my bed, panting and covered in sweat. I had just woken up from a nightmare, as usual. The nightmare about all the people I couldn't save, and the Games coming up in about a week.

I tried to calm myself down by breathing in normal gasps of air. It still felt odd to wake up in a different bed then the bed in my apartment I had left behind in District 13. Everything felt out of place. It felt odd to not have woken up beside Cato, and having him hold me because I had a nightmare.

I rolled over against the bed and pulled a pillow close to my body.

"Katniss..?" I heard a voice speak, sounding familiar.

My heart leaps as I turn over and look at the person who called my name.

However, my heart slightly drops when I realize it's just Peeta.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" I blink at him, realizing my gasps and pants probably woke him up from the room he was sleeping in next to mine.

"No, I was already awake. I heard you gasping," Peeta replies, as he makes his way towards my bed. "Are you okay?"

I nod my head and rest my chin on top of the pillow. "I'm fine. Just a nightmare.."

"You want to talk about it?" He sits on the bed next to me, and rubs my back.

I bite my lip and shake my head. "No, it's fine."

"Okay," He stops stroking my back and moves to sit over on the edge of the bed. For a second or two, I think he's leaving.

"Don't leave," I whisper, and he manages to catch it.

I can't believe what I'm saying, but I hate being alone when I just had a nightmare.

"I won't," He takes his hand and mine and softly strokes it.

I give a silent sigh as he holds me close to him and gets under the covers next to me. I sniffle and press my head against his chest, before softly fluttering my eyes close. He strokes my hair and stays silent.

I silently wish that Cato was here holding me, instead of Peeta. I can't believe I told him to go away last night, I wish I wouldn't have.

However, I was still content in Peeta's arms. I slowly started to fall asleep again as he continued to stroke my hair.

Cato's POV

I grasped the sword in my grip as I swung back and slashed all of the training dummies around me with powerful might. I sneered in anger as I stabbed them multiple times with my sword, and watched as all of their heads fell off.

I panted with rage as I thought about what happened with Katniss last night. Obviously, I was taking out all my anger on the training dummies.

Gloss, Cashmere, and Enobaria seemed to notice as they stare at me, completely awe-struck.

Enobaria grabs a knife and hurls at one of the dummies, sending the knife straight through it. She reminded me of Clove a bit, since their talents with knives and aggressive personality matched.

"Cato, ease up on the sword. Pretty soon we won't have any more dummies left to train with," Enobaria teases.

I hear Gloss and Cashmere slightly chuckle behind me.

I stab one more dummy with my sword as I kick it off the metal pole. The dummies around me were all massacred, as if a large dog had chewed them up.

"Fine," I growl, not finding her statement very funny.

"Why so pissed?" She asks me, before hurling another knife at a dummy.

"I'm not pissed, am I pissed?" I reply, before asking Gloss and Cashmere, who shake their heads and slightly step back from me.

Enobaria rolls her eyes. "Anyone with eyes can see that you're clearly pissed, Cato."

I toss aside the sword back on the weapon rack before searching for more things to train with. "I'm just hyped up for the Games, that's all." I shrug, and clench my fists.

"Whatever you say," Enobaria hurls two knives at several dummies, incapacitating all of them at once. "Just make sure your anger doesn't get in the way when you're in the Arena,"

I grab a spear from the weapon rack. "Yeah, I know."

I glanced up when I heard several more tributes start to come in the Training Room. I glared as soon as I saw Katniss and Lover Boy come in, followed by their drunken mentor.

My teeth clench in anger when I saw Lover Boy holding hands with Katniss again. My fists clench tightly against my sides.

If he touches her one more time…I was going to personally gut him with my sword.

Katniss makes eye contact with me, but only for a few mere seconds before looking away. I glare back at her, making it clear that I was angry with her.

I look away and walk back to the dummies, spear in hand.

"Those stupid lovebirds from 12 make me sick," Gloss sneers, making Enobaria and Cashmere nod in agreement.

"Fuck them," I growl, decapitating another dummy.

"Don't worry, we'll make sure to make their deaths slow and painful in the arena," Enobaria smirks.

Gloss gives a menacing chuckle, while staring at his sister, Cashmere. She also crosses her arms and agrees.

I narrow my eyes and gaze at the floor.

Damn…

What was I going to do?

I didn't mind killing and brutally torturing Lover Boy, but I needed to protect Katniss. I had no idea why. I ended it with her, why did I need to protect her? Why do I still love her so much..?

Enobaria, Gloss, and Cashmere stare at me, like they're waiting for me to respond and agree with them.

I scoff with annoyance.

"Slow and painful.." I say, hurling my spear at another dummy and watching as it split in two and landed on the floor.

Me and the careers share the same sadistic grin.

Katniss's POV

I enter the training room with Peeta and Haymitch, and try not to stare as I can see Cato and the other careers glaring at us. Cato's glares of hatred made me even more mad at him. I slightly shuddered when I saw all those decapitated dummies that he must've stabbed with his sword.

I walk over to the weapon rack and grab a bow, as well as a few arrows. Haymitch steps close to me and puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Let's see how well you can still shoot, sweetheart," He says.

He probably thinks I'm a little rusty since I stayed in District 13 for those many months.

I inhale and focus my aim on hitting the bullseye. As I relax my shoulders, I send one of my arrows flying straight at the bullseye.

"Nice," Peeta grins, as Haymitch claps.

"Well done, sweetheart." He turns to Peeta. "Now you, Peeta."

Peeta walks over to the weight rack to grab one of the heavier weights to try and hurl it at one of the training boards.

Haymitch watches, but I focus my attention on the careers, who were each sparring with each other.

Cato was sparring with his mentor, Brutus. They were both clashing swords and wrestling each other. Brutus seems deadly strong, and I'm secretly glad that he's not one of the tributes for the Games. Cato's about as strong as him, since he's fighting back well and dodging his attacks.

I blink and turn away, cursing at myself for staring at him. I turn back in time to watch Peeta hurl the weight at the board, sending it toppling over.

"Good job, Peeta." I manage a small smile.

"Thanks," He gasps, as Haymitch pats his shoulder.

Haymitch begins to tell us on what other things we can train with, and I'm glad that our mentors were allowed to train with us. It gives me more confidence and tips.

An hour passes, as Peeta hurls more weights at boards and I send multiple arrows flying at targets.

"Since when can you shoot multiple arrows, Katniss?" Haymitch asks me, baffled.

I shrug. "I sort of learned how to when I was training in District 13." I send more arrows flying.

"You're amazing. Just wait, once you get back to District 12, you'll be hunting five squirrels at once." Peeta explains.

I suddenly feel sadness.

Sadness for my life back in District 12, that I might not even return to. I'm pretty sure President Snow is making it clear that he only wants once victor crowned. So, either I die, or Peeta, or Cato..

I swallow, to try and hide my sadness.

"I need water, I'll be right back." I say, causing Peeta and Haymitch to stare at me.

"Sure, sweetheart." Haymitch replies. But I think he realizes that my behavior is rather off.

I leave them as I walk down the training room and down to the hallway with rooms. The refreshments room is right nearby, for the tributes to reach easily.

I walk inside and see nobody inside.

As soon as I close the door behind me, I walk over to the table and try to pick out which refreshment I want. They had water, Gatorade, Fruit Punch, this weird energy drink.

Deciding to go with water, I grab a cup and pour the huge tank of water into it. When I finish drinking the water, I hear the door open behind me.

I place the cup down and turn around, expecting to see a random tribute.

However, my heart flutters with joy when I see Cato enter.

He closes the door and avoids my gaze, still probably mad at me. I silently move out of the way and watch as he pours himself a cup of Gatorade.

"Cato.." I barely whisper.

"What do you want?" He sneers, once he finishes drinking his Gatorade.

I cross my arms and step back, looking the other way. "Nothing," I narrow my eyes.

I turn to leave, but I give a silent gasp of surprise when he softly puts his arm around me to keep me from leaving.

He pushes me against the wall beside the other side of the door. It seems to be his infamous way of trapping me. Holding me against a wall so I can't get out.

I bite my lip, having nothing to say.

"Why..? Why do you do this to me?" He narrows his eyes.

"Do what, Cato?" I reply.

"Don't play stupid, Fire girl. You know, holding hands with your precious Lover Boy," He growls.

"Do you not understand that I have to? I have to pretend that I'm in love with him, do you think I want to? Do you think I enjoy seeing you all pissed off and jealous?" I hiss. "I thought you knew me better,"

"It seems like you do," He glares at me.

"I don't want to fight with you, Cato. And you're the one talking, you called me filth in the interview." I try to push him back, but he shoves me back against the wall.

"Ow," I protest, but he ignores me.

"I had to talk shit on the underdogs, Brutus told me to." He clenches his teeth in anger.

I blink, feeling stupid. "I thought.." I glare at him. "Why didn't you tell me that before?"

"You were too busy getting mad at me," He scoffs.

"Are we still together..?" I softly ask him, remembering when he said he was finished with me last night.

"I want to be," He replies in a gentle tone. "I love you.."

As he softly plants kisses down my neck, I place my arms around his neck and bury my head on his shoulder. "I missed you so much," I mumble.

"I missed you, too." He replies in between kisses.

I stare up at him and stroke his cheek as he kisses my lips. The kiss is lustful, and needy. Our kisses become more rushed, and deeper. He grunts, and lifts me up against the wall. I place my legs around his waist as we continue to kiss each other.

I kiss his neck, and watch as he tries to suppress a moan when I kiss his sweet spot.

As he's holding me, he brings his hand up to my waist and lightly tugs on my pants. "I want you…so bad." He presses his forehead against mine.

I instantly know what he means. Of course, he wants sex.

"Not now, we can't do it.." I kiss his lips.

I've never done it before, and I slightly realize that's he's probably experienced with it.

He sighs, and strokes my shoulder. "When?"

I blink and nuzzle my head against the crook of his neck. "After the Games, maybe."

I grow stiff as I realize what I just said.

Cato realizes it as well.

"Katniss, there's only one winner." He whispers.

A tear rolls down my cheek as I tighten my embrace around his neck. "It's going to be you, I promise." I choke, but then realize that if Cato lives, then Peeta dies.

I hate the situation I'm in.

He shakes his head and sets me back down on the floor. "No, listen to me." He tilts my head up to stare at him. "It's going to be you, I already said I'll protect you."

My mouth opens in disbelief. "No, I'm not letting you die!" I protest.

"You have to," He hisses.

I bury my face into his chest. "No, no.." I murmur.

"Shh," He kisses my forehead and strokes my hair.

"Screw, Snow." I narrow my eyes. "I can find out a way to keep us all alive."

And by us, I mean me, Peeta, and Cato.

"No, you can't. He'll kill you this time," Cato replies.

I sigh in frustration.

I continue to hold Cato and bury my face into his chest as the minutes go by. I nearly forget about Haymitch and Peeta back in the Training Room.

"We have to go," I glance up at Cato. "Haymitch is probably wondering why I'm taking so long,"

"Yeah," He lets me go, and allows me to step away from the wall.

"Try and come to my room tonight," I tell Cato, who seems skeptical at first.

"Please," I whisper.

"Alright, I'll try." He sighs.

I open the door and look out the hallway to see if anyone was coming. When I saw the coast was clear, I turn back to glance at Cato.

He nods and follows me outside of the room. We try and keep our distance as we both enter the Training Room, with him a little ways behind me.

I instantly make my way back towards Peeta and Haymitch. I try to sneak in beside them, trying to be unnoticeable.

However, Haymitch sees me and raises an eyebrow. "You sure took a long time,"

I shrug, like it was no big deal. "There was a line,"

"A line? I didn't see anymore tributes leaving or coming back," Haymitch replies.

"Maybe you didn't notice when they left," I suggest.

"Maybe," Haymitch narrows his eyes.

I nearly breathe a sigh of relief once Haymitch shrugs it off and goes back to training us.

Hours and hours pass, before we finally stop training. We head back to our suite, where Effie, Cinna, and Portia are waiting for us in the dinner table.

I silently wish they could've let me shower and get ready first before joining them for dinner. However, my hungry stomach speaks otherwise.

I sit next to Peeta as Haymitch sits across from us.

I instantly grab a turkey leg from one of the plates and start to eat it. As the minutes go by, everyone stays silent. The only thing I hear is the clanging of silverware and plates being moved.

"So, how was training?" Effie decides to break the silence.

"Good, although, we kept getting glares from the careers." Haymitch smiles.

I take a sip from my water and refrain from saying anything.

"It's best to just ignore them," Effie replies.

When I expect Cinna to say something, he doesn't. He just stays oddly silent, as if he's hiding something.

I instantly feel confused. He never hides anything from me.

"The careers are going to be tough to beat this year," Haymitch explains, as he puts butter on his toast. "Gloss and Cashmere from 1 are both deadly, and both tributes from 2 are brutal killers. I've seen Enobaria kill a tribute with just using her teeth. And Cato, well both of you know how brutal he can be." He stares at both me and Peeta.

I continue to stay silent as he talks about the careers. I feel like changing the subject.

"Yeah, we do. I almost lost my leg because of him." Peeta comments.

"If you two got by the careers once before, I'm sure you can do it again." Effie encourages us.

"Yeah, we'll just avoid them." I shrug.

Once dinner finishes, I excuse myself from the table and go straight into my room. I hop into the shower, feeling refreshed as I wash all the sweat from me. Once I get out of the shower, I throw some blue pajamas on me. It consisted of a shirt and soft pants. It tended to get cold in the suite, since they kept the air conditioner so high.

I step out of the bathroom and inside my room, where I'm met with Peeta.

"I just wanted to come say goodnight," He blinks at me.

"Oh, okay." I step closer to him as he takes me in his arms. "Goodnight,"

"Wake me up if you have another nightmare, alright?" Peeta tells me, concerned.

I nod, and manage to give him a small smile. "Thanks, I will."

He lets go of me and walks back to his room, where a dim light was left on. I make my way towards my bed, after closing my door. I sigh and allow myself to fall back on soft covers of the bed.

I turn off the lamp light next to me, before silently staring up at the ceiling. I reach for the remote next to me and start to play with it, looking at the different backgrounds on my wall. I decide to go back to the forest background, since it reminds me so much of home.

I miss it so much.

I sigh, and grab a pillow, softly admiring the view of the forest.

I silently think I'm never going to see it again. Home seems like such a distant place right now. It's only a mere memory.

I hug the pillow and press my face against it. I listen to the soft chirping of birds in the background, and tree branches rustling in the distance.

I begin to relax and close my eyes against the pillow, before I hear my door open. Using the remote, I turn off the forest background and stare into the darkness.

"Who's there..?" I softly ask, thinking maybe it was Peeta coming to say something else.

The person doesn't answer, but instead climbs on my bed.

I freeze and try to move away, before the voice finally answers.

"Relax, it's me." The voice says. I instantly recognize it.

"Cato," I breathe, allowing him to get under the covers with me. He pulls me close and lightly kisses my neck.

"How did you get in?" I stroke his cheek.

"It was easy, there were no Peacemakers around. And everyone was sleeping," He whispers.

I nuzzle my head against his chest. "I'm so glad you're here,"

"So am I," He kisses my lips and softly strokes my back.

I try and kiss him back, but it was hard to see in the darkness of the room.

"Can you turn on a light or something? I can barely see you," He strokes his thumb across my chin.

I try and think of something I could turn on to dim the room, and an idea suddenly crosses my mind. I smile and grab the remote, turning on the forest background.

The background allows us to see each other, since it serves as a night light.

"Better," Cato glances at the forest, before leaning down to kiss me.

I place my arms around his neck as we deepen the kiss. I start to tug on his shirt as he slowly gets on top of me.

He takes his shirt off and tosses it on the floor, revealing his gorgeous, muscular body.

I give him a small smile as he leans down and kisses me again.

I run my fingers through his hair as I wrap my legs around his waist. He pulls away for a few seconds, as he tugs on my pants.

I suddenly reach down and try to keep them on, realizing what we were about to do. I stare at him, slightly panting.

"Come on, babe.." He presses his forehead against mine, in order to reassure me. "Please,"

I stay silent as I glance the other way, trying to think about it. He had a point. I had told him that we would do it after the Games, but there's no telling what might happen. I bite my lip and stare at him, as I place my arms around his neck once again.

I nod, finally giving in. "Okay,"

He smirks at me, and plants light kisses down my neck. I lay underneath him, slightly nervous.

"Be gentle," I say. "It's my first time,"

"I will, I promise." He kisses my cheek and begins to pull down my pants.

I press my forehead against his shoulder as he completely takes off my pants and tosses it on the floor.

He unbuttons my shirt, and tosses it on the floor, revealing my bra. He plants kisses down my collarbone, before softly nuzzling my stomach.

I sigh in happiness as my eyes flutter close.

I sit up for a few seconds as he unclasps my bra. I embrace him and kiss his neck, softly nibbling on his sweet spot once again.

He lets out a light moan as he places me against the bed again, tossing aside my bra. As we continue to kiss, he begins to slip off his pants and his boxers. I slightly gasp as he pulls down my underwear, and I suddenly realize that we're both completely naked.

He slightly lifts the covers, and I turn away once I see it.

He's huge.

I shut my eyes as he begins to stroke my shoulder in reassurance.

I just hope it doesn't hurt too much.

He slips inside of me, and I instantly tighten my embrace and bury my head into his shoulder. Pain instantly surges though my pelvis.

I fail to hide my pain when I give a small whimper.

He notices this, and kisses my shoulder. "Shh, it gets better, I promise.."

I nod, and try to give a soft inhale to calm my nerves. He begins to slowly rock his hips against mine, and I silently wish that I didn't feel so uncomfortable.

However, as soon as the pain slowly fades away, I feel instant pleasure.

I bring my head back against the pillow, letting out a loud moan.

He leans down and kisses my collarbone. "Shh, you have to keep quiet, babe. Or else they'll hear us,"

I softly pant as I nod at him.

His rocking becomes a little bit more faster, and I lean my head against his forehead.

"I love you, so much.." I murmur as we both pant against each other.

"I love you, too." He whispers, and nuzzles his forehead against mine.

Cato's POV

After an hour passes, I finally pull away from her. I breathe in heavy gasps as I stare at her.

Damn, she's beautiful.

Her wet, dark, crumpled hair splayed across the pillow, and her flushed cheeks.

I lean down and softly kiss her on the lips. She kisses me back, almost instantly. I allow myself to rest on her.

Her moans almost made me lose myself. I silently cursed myself when I had to tell her to be more quiet. I hated that we had to do stuff in secrecy because of the stupid Capitol.

I get off of her, to lay beside her. I pull her close to me as she rests her head against my chest, slowly falling asleep.

I watch as she closes her eyes, her long eyelashes softly caressing her cheeks.

It made me so damn happy to know I was her first time, and always will be.

I gently kiss her forehead, before falling asleep as well.

A/N: Yay! I updated a lot sooner this time! As you noticed, I had to change the rating, because of the sex scene and Cato's language. At least I hope it's rated M now, I'm not sure. It take some time to update. Hope you like this chapter, guys! Review! :)