Hey guys! Finally. It's good to be on here again. I feel a bit isolated from the world because I'm trying to watch the first few seasons of Pretty Little Liars... which consists of staying up till 4 am while telling myself "After this episode, I'll go to bed"... and it ends up more like three more.

Haha, but I'm back! From a fun time with family... I mean, I love my family. You sometimes just HAVE to, you know? But I'm the oldest and despite my cousin being just two years younger than I am... there's a difference. I just always feel like I'm babysitting all the time.

Ps. Seth Philpott (the person I'm putting as the song for the chapter) is a friend of mine and tours the country with music being what he does for a living. Normally I don't say this, but check him out? I showed my friend's his music and they fell in love with it. After hearing him once, it was enough to buy his Cd. The song below is my favorite 33333

BUT. We shall get to the story. I need to get off the habit of spilling out my life story on here, haha.

Here we go my crazy buttercups! (Came up with the nickname twenty-five seconds ago... but it's here to stay c; )

Lights;

they will burn out as the world runs wild.

And I'll come back to you

like a wandering child.

Seth Philpott, "Good Morning, Chicago."

"Katniss..." Cato says, disrupting my thoughts. "Are you ready?"

Haymitch and Cato stare at me, their eyes questioning. They know how I feel about this; about going into the arena a second time, where most of my nightmares take place. It's a place of death, insanity, and utter loss. Because you don't just lose the people closest to you.

You also lose yourself.

Katniss POV

After last night's chat, Cato and I settled in for bed, his arms wrapping around my frame. We just laid there, holding onto each other. He was the first to fall asleep, so I watched him until the darkness was all I felt.

Today was the interviews, and Snow definitely has something up his sleeve. He knows how we feel about a wedding in front of the people we hate the most. He knows that we would've waited hence if we weren't in the Hunger Games.

He knows how nervous and scared it will make me, because tomorrow we're going into the arena. And the possibility of me losing Cato...

I clear the thought from my head. He's getting out. I promised myself he would.

Once I finally get up after a few minutes of Effie's cries, I get on comfortable clothes and make my way to the dining room... of course, not before I give Cato a kiss on the lips. It's always his alarm and soon, he's up and running right behind me.

Haymitch is already at the table, piling sausage on his plate. He speaks up once we sit at the table.

"Look who's up and running. That's the fastest I've ever seen you two awake." Cato gives him a look and Haymitch tries not to laugh. "Look, today is the interviews and it's also the day where you two tie the knot... for the Capitol.

"Cinna's already designed your dress Katniss, so in about fifteen minutes, you can go back to your room and he'll fit you. Then you'll have some lessons with heels. And we all know how you feel about heels.." he looks over and I scowl at him, which puts him into a fit of laughter.

"What?"

He chuckles until he finds the willpower to speak. "Your face. Too goddamn serious for my taste. A few shots of tequila and you'll be cured."

I look to Cato and shake my head. "When I'm gone, give him a glass of water. He's had too much."

Cato laughs while Haymitch prepares a toast.

I see Cinna right outside my door, yet the black dress bag he always carries is not slung on his right arm. This tells me what I'll be wearing is something I'll have difficulty standing in without falling over.

"We already have everything situated, so I'll just need to blindfold you and then we can get you into the gown.

Now we're really talking about a wedding. He never uses the word gown.

Cinna wraps a black piece of fabric around my eyes and I can't see anything at this point. Once I'm led into the room, I hear shuffling and my arms are then raised. A tight, confined feeling sets in my waist and chest areas, but the dress isn't even on.

And the magic starts.

I hear rustling and then a light, flowy feeling touches my skin. I knew it was going to be heavy, but that's overruled by how soft and delicate it feels. My head pops through the top and I feel lace cover my shoulders. Opening my eyes, I see a sight that I want to live in forever. Despite this wedding being in the Capitol, I'm enjoying my life while I'm.. well, living.

I see a while dress, with lace capped-sleeves that take the shape of small birds flying. It then attaches itself to a sheer necklined, long and simple gown. It's not giant or snowball shaped. It's the perfect length to where it touches the floor but I won't trip on the fabric. Lace birds slowly cover the bottom, as in they're small and spread out near the waist and grown towards the ending. I suddenly feel confident about how tonight will go.

"Cinna," I say in awestruck wonder. "It's..." I fade out. He smiles mischievously and nods with his approval.

"Perfect.." I found the word. It's perfect. Not even if it had a big mudstreak through the bossom would ruin its beauty.

Cato will surely love it. That's all I care about.

"Now, Katniss," Cinna says. "Before I start on your hair, I need to clear three things: one, you twirl at the end of your interview. I'll give you the signal. Give them a piece of the Girl on Fire... no. The woman on Fire. All that you've been through is not the hardships of a mere girl.

"Two, be confident. Have fun on your day. I know what you're planning; no, I didn't tell Cato. But Haymitch told me, and I want you to have the greatest wedding you'll have. And three... give Snow what he wanted least to see out of you: a smile and the will to die for a cause. You're a part of a rebellion."

The impact of his words wash over me, almost cleansing me. I feel relieved to know someone is on my side.

He leads me to the vanity where he puts my hair in a low bun, in contrast to what he did for my last interview when my hair was high and voluminous. It's simple and then he puts a replica of my pin in my hair. The other real one rests on my sleeve.

Once we're done with my makeup, (a white angelic look with light eye shadow and brown eyeliner and mascara), I'm led out into the hall. Cato is nowhere to be seen because in the Capitol, it's said to be bad luck if the groom sees the bride before she walks down the aisle. (Another thing that I find ridiculous.)

Haymitch is planned to talk me down while Capitol children go down before me, throwing flower petals and holding our rings on a white pillow.

The customs they have here. Again, ridiculous.

Haymitch, Cinna, the rest of the prep team, Effie, and I step into the elevator and descend to my wedding. I hear a light piano playing and soft birds chirping behind the closed doors. Haymitch stares at me and nods.

"You ready?"

I know what he means. Ready to face a whole crowd of people you hate, ready to have what was supposed to be your wedding with ones you loved instead of fans, ready for the arena tomorrow morning.

I pause before slowly nodding my head.

"Yes, I'm ready."

The doors open and the flower girl and ring bearer are the first to go out. There are no "bride's maids" or "best men" since it's supposed to be "our" day. Though it may be our wedding, and I love Cato, but this wedding is purely for their entertainment. Only for them to feast their eyes and ears on as the new victors of the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games get hitched.

Haymitch and I walk out ten seconds later and time stands still. White birds in cages surround the giant center, while hundreds of thousands of people cheer and whistle. But once they see me, the whole room goes quiet. You could hear a pin drop, if the piano wasn't automatic though the speakers. I see Cato at the alter, which is up on stage and Caesar Flickerman stands with a book in his hand. I look straight into Cato's eyes the whole time, while he watches me make my way to him.

Haymitch gives me a hug and hands me off to him, and I hold both of his hands. Caesar reads this long paragraph on marriage and how we should be faithful and how this is a lifetime commitment. It's not like I'll find another person other than Cato. I mean, we fell in love during our Hunger Games, and if that's not enough, the fact that I've given to him what I cannot take back.

Soon, we say our vows, to treat each other in better and for worse; to love and to hold, and defend and hold up. We both read them to each other and the ring bearer steps forward. My ring has a small mockingjay symbol etched inside, and the outside is a simple band with small diamonds place together. Cato's is a simple silver band that matches mine.

Caesar opens up to the crowd after we both put on each other's rings.

"Ladies and Gentlemen.. here is what you have all been waiting for. Cato, you may now kiss your bride to seal your marriage."

I look to Cato and he steps closer to me. I know he's trying to make it intimate, though intimate is hard to pull off when no one but two people are supposed to see these things. He puts his left hand on the small of my back, which is not covered by lace, and the other caresses my cheek lovingly.

And then he pulls me down for the longest, most passionate kiss I've ever experienced. The crowd goes wild, though I don't pay much attention to them. It's just me and Cato, lost in each other's lips.

We slowly pull apart and I look back to see Caesar beaming.

"Ladies and Gentlemen.. ladies and gentlemen. May I... proudly introduce Mr. and Mrs. Rosias! Husband and wife and our tributes in this year's Quarter Quell!"

We're rushed off the stage and everyone congratulates us. Cato and I leave for the interviews and everyone else runs to get a spot.

Let hell be unleashed.

I stand in the back of the line, my palm sweating more than they did since the wedding. I'm right behind Chaff from District Eleven, with Seeder in front of him. Everyone is nervous, but most of us are all fighting for the same cause secretly.

Haymitch informed me and Cato about who was in the rebellion. Finnick Odair and Mags from District Four, Beetee and Wiress from District Three, the Morphlings from District Six, Johanna Mason from District Seven, Cecelia and Woof from District Eight, Chaff and Seeder from Eleven, and Cato and I. Thirteen out of twenty four tributes.

I soon space out until I hear my name being called by a peacekeeper. Caesar introduces me and I walk out onto the stage, lightly picking up my wedding dress. People chant my name and whistles are being thrown here and there.

Caesar sits me down and laughs.

"Now, Katniss, I hope you can hear me this time. I don't want to repeat myself!" People laugh, having remembered my space out during last year's interviews.

"Let's get down to business. You just got married! Heck, forty-five minutes ago, you ever an Everdeen! Now my dear... you are a Rosias. Married to last year's most brutal killer and stunning man Cato Rosias! How does it feel?"

It's crazy how well he handles talking in front of these people. But I have to give him a reply so I don't make a fool out of myself.

"It's surreal," I tell him with pure honesty. "I love him, and when I can have a wedding in the Capitol, how much nicer could it get?" He laughs and nods his head.

"Okay. Now, we want details: what happened after you and Cato walked out as husband and wife?" He winks jokingly and the audience coos and whistles.

"Caesar... there are children watching this!"

He eyes me and bursts into a fit of laughter along with the entire room.

"Now, Katniss, we're going to be serious right now. I know it's.. hard, going in the Games again. Tragic really, because everyone loves you. Tell me, are you going to protect Cato?"

I sigh.

"With my every breath."

He nods.

I see Cinna in the crowd spinning his finger around. It's time.

"Caesar, I'd like to give you a peak at what this dress does. May I show you?" His eyes light up and he nods quickly.

"Sure thing Mrs. Rosias!"

I stand up and start spinning. Soon, the smell of burning fabric and smoke fills my nose and I cough. What freaks me out most is the fire engulfing my dress and burning it. My beautiful dress.

I keep spinning though. I know he wants me too, and after the fire has eaten my entire dress, I expect to be butt naked.

But I'm not. Not even close.

The birds from the lace bunched together to create wings much like a mockingjays, angled yet round-tipped. The lace has turned black with embers underneath, glowing bright and red. I realize what I am now: a mockingjay. The symbol is carved into the cuffed sleeves.

People gasp and some glass shatters. They know what this means and soon, the room is chaotic. I hear someone shouting my name and look to see Cato reaching out. I grab his hand and he pulls me back stage, where we both run for the apartment.

Cinna, you've just unleashed hell tonight.

And I'm the devil in angel wings.

Third person.

Haymitch sees Cinna come out of the elevator; he knows the act he pulled, and he could die for his punishment. Once he makes it to the dining room, the now-sober mentor grabs his lower arm and drags him into Katniss' room. That way Cinna can talk without the overbearing stench of alcohol.

"Good job. You definitely gave people something to root for. But you need to go. Make it to thirteen on a coal train headed to twelve. It's automatic and the only people there are the avoxes preparing the train."

Cinna looks understanding. Katniss was like a sister to him, someone that he felt close to. He does not want to cause her pain and watch him being executed inside Snow's grasp.

So he leaves, dressed as a Capitol flamboyant, who dresses much like the crazies do.

He's chased, but not caught.

And when the train leaves, he looks back at the Capitol not as a home, but a prison.

Katniss' POV

Cato and I lay in bed that night, holding hands and staring off. Cinna left the note, ne in which we quickly burned so no remains could be used as evidence. He committed a supposed crime, in which started rebellious acts against the Capitol.

Snow's furious.

His wedding idea didn't go as planned. But I guess that's what he gets for messing with fire.

In law, I'm now officially married to Cato, so we spend the night making the most passionate love. For through our actions, we express what's hard to express: fear, joy, sadness, confusion. Hope.

Hope that maybe one of us will get out.

I fall asleep in his arms, listening to the sound of his heartbeat through his warm chest.

Liked it? I wrote most of this chapter today. And it's around 2.5k words... dang! Haha, love when I can write these chapters quickly.

Now, I got the idea for Katniss' dress from my sister's own dress experience. It was her dream wedding dress...but it was in Brazil and over $4,000 dollars. That ain't cheap.

Sooo, I'll post the link to it! Just take out any spaces. The site won't allow me to post the full site all together. They're between the two dashes and the www, between hustle your bustle, .com, and the dash from the wedding dress. There you go!

Review please? It's not mandatory, just a suggestion.

Goodnight my sweet buttercups!

~HeyoMyFellowReaders101

LINK; hustle your bustle (dot com) / wedding-dress/5366/maison-kas-tatoo-lace-dress