Gale POV-

I put on the outfit that was laid out on my bed when I was showering. When I go to leave my room I notice Gloss and Katniss are coming out of her room. The three of us walk together to the dining room. Gloss and Katniss walk over to the elevator to say their goodbyes. I know I should not watch them. I should let them say bye without me watching them but I can't. Katniss is a whole different person when she is around him one that I am not use to. It's almost as obvious as when she looks at Prim you can see the love in her eyes everything about her softens. There is a part of me that is so happy to see that she found someone who she can love like this but then the other part of me breaks for her since as long as Snow is alive he will control there life. I sit across from Haymitch and Katniss comes over and sits next to me. "What is the plan for training?"

"I don't think it matters if you want to show off or not. No matter what they will be targeting you. I am sure they know you can do something what they don't know is what and how well you can do it."

Haymitch adds in "Sweetheart here is right. You have two choices you can show off and it's possible they will want to ally with you or you will be even more a target. Your other option is you can keep your talents a secret and they can find out in the arena."

"Ok I think I am going to stay in the middle I will train with things I have never done or my weaker areas. As for allies I am still not sure if I want any since in the end they will have to die for me to come home." At this an Avox walks into the room with a silver tray with a white envelope on it. She gives it to Katniss. I watch her face drop like all the life came out of her. I can only guess why. I am not going to act stupid here with that reaction there is only one reason. I look at Catnip "will you be back by dinner?"

"Yes Gale"

"Will you be ok today catnip?"

"I will survive. Gale don't worry about me keep your focus on training I will have Gloss with me."

"Fine" I am not satisfied with her response but then again will any Victor ever be ok again. From the few victors if have meet since arriving here I have quickly learned they don't live they only survive. All of them including the careers are nothing but puppets here controlled by Snow on who to act, who to love, and what to say. None of them are free. Sometimes I think is this really the life I want to have one where I am a slave to Snow. Every time I think it the only answer I can ever honestly respond with is yes. Just a for the fact I will make sure this ends I will go with everything I must do in order to survive in order to take Snow and the Capitol down once and for all. Katniss may not have known how rebellious she was in the arena or how she has lit the spark for the rebellion in the districts. I will continue spread that spark with everything I do or say. Effie takes us down to the training floor.

All of the tributes are standing around listening to Alta give her speech about how more will die from survival then other tributes. Once we are few to go I make my way over to the knot station knowing that I know quite a few but maybe there is a couple I can learn. The trainer asks

"Do you know any knots?"

"You could say I know a few. Are there any you can teach me besides the basics?"

He just nods his head and smirks. He shows me a couple that I don't know which I know I can use in several snares. I practice with rope and wire since I don't know what I will have available. I then go over to the sword station since no one is over there. After a couple of hours I know that even though I can swing it and block a hit it will not be my choice of a weapon. I head back to one of the survival stations until it is time for lunch.

Katniss POV-

I am sitting at the table when an Avox comes into the room. I know right then what Gloss and I will be doing today. I am pissed I should be here trying to get Gale sponsors but instead I will be off being a whore to the Capitol. I can see Gale knows what is on the envelope I even try to reassure Gale as much as I can. I remind him that I won't be alone that Gloss will be there the whole time. Some time I am not that sure if it is better that he is there with me. It is so hard to keep my mask on during our appointments but he gives me strength he reminds me why I do this. As soon as Gale leaves Haymitch asks

"How many?"

"Six. There not until lunch time. Dad am I ever going to get a break?"

"Sweetheart go to him or Cash or Finnick. We have about three hours before you need to be off. Go talk to them and then meet me at the sponsor room."

I notice that he has opened his arms up and I step right in them I have no doubt that he will do what he can to protect me. He leans close and whispers "I promise you this will end one day. I am sorry it's just not happening fast enough."

I go to find Finnick first I head down to his floor I know he is mentoring with Mags this year. She is a wonderful women you can she is everything a mother should be everything I was denied. The elevator stops and I get out and find Finnick he is sitting there with Mags.

"Girl on Fire it's nice to see you here. Why don't we get some fresh air?"

I nod at him and we head to the roof I know he is wondering why I came to him and not Gloss. Finnick is still one of my closest friends. Finnick and I go to our spot which is over near ledge of the building. "How are you Fin?"

"How did you do it knowing Gale was going to be chosen?"

"Did you not see me I was terrified and I have had months to prepare myself. You love her don't you?"

"Yes, I do I can't tell you how glad I was her names was not pulled. I don't know what I would have done. Katniss I can't let him know about her. I should let her go and stay far away from her put I just can't do that. I need her I never understood how you or Gloss needed each other so much but now I understand. I also now know why Haymitch told me that I should never fall in love."

"First he is wrong you should love none of us would be here right now if we didn't love something. We won the games and fought for something. We fought with all our hearts. Most of us fought to come home to someone we loved. That's what makes us different than them Fin we love."

We hear the door open to the roof and notice Gloss and Cashmere walk towards us. I look at Gloss and then back at Fin

"Fin, if she makes you whole if you need her to be strong then be with her. I saw her if you stay away from her you not only destroy yourself but you destroy her as well. She loves you just as much as you love her. Don't let Snow win don't close your heart off." By the time I am finish Gloss and Cash are with us.

"Did you get our letter as well?"

"Yes, I did."

"Did either of you two?"

I notice they both nod "wait then who is going to get Sponsors for you tributes?"

Cash tells me "Snow had requested he sent someone in addition to Gloss and I. Savoy came with us he actually mentored me. With the two of you being a package deal there was more of a request for me at least according to Snow."

I just shake my head not knowing what to say. We are all being used here to a point of no return and in a way I feel it is my fault. If I was not friends with any of them they would not be in this mess at least they would not be in as deep as they are. I am not sure who in the end suggest we go down to the sponsor floor to try and get a few before it is time to go. When we arrive to the floor Gloss and I walk in right next to each other with his arm around my waist. The whole room stops as we walk in we are the center of attention. Gloss takes me over to Haymitch giving me a kiss on my forehead "I will come get you when it is time." Haymitch and I go from one person to the next trying to get sponsors for Gale we have gotten several sponsors for him. I do have to say I am sick of seeing people who have purchased me or Gloss. I have been asked several times if they sponsor Gale if they would get a chance we alone. Thankfully Haymitch is there every time and reminds them that I do not make those decisions. When Gloss comes over to me I am at first relived to me leaving and then I realized that I will be going to a new kind of hell.

Gale POV-

At lunch I go over to an empty table and watch. For the most part everyone is off by themselves except the careers. I watch one, two and four interact. I can tell they will be the career pack this year. During lunch I can hear them making fun of the tributes from the outer districts. Then I hear a conversation I am sure I was never supposed to hear. The district two males say "Is it real that the victor from twelve is dating your mentor or is it all a show?"

"No they are really a couple its disgusting really at least she is hot. I mean after she won her games they really added to her appeal. But there relationship is appalling who could ever love a district twelve scum." The male tribute from district one says.

"What could he ever see in her she must be something in bed otherwise it makes no sense at all. She probably just got lucky in her games I doubt she really is that good."

This time it's the girl from district one who speaks up "Unfortunately your wrong about your last statement she is just as good if not better then she was in her games we saw her ourselves."

"I don't believe it for a moment I still think her only talent is being a good little whore."

This time the girl from two responds looking at me "Do you think he can do anything like she can? He is her cousin after all."

"Have you know seen him today? All he has done was worked with a sword which is horrible at and the survival stations. It doesn't matter we are going to kill him off first anyway"

I do my best to not show any emotion or even hint at the fact that I heard every word of their conversation. I am pissed and laughing all at the same time. I am pissed about what they are saying about Katniss. But the fact they are discounting me makes me laugh. If only they knew that like Katniss I have spent my life in the woods surviving. I am the only one in this room who has ever had to kill something in order to live granted I am use to killing animals not children. The rest of them have not even done that they may have trained but I have real life experience. What they also don't know is I can use a bow not as well as Katniss but I am still pretty good. I can use a knife and I can throw knives. I can use a pick ax I was in the minds for six months before I quite to start training. What I am really good at is snares and survival instincts. My biggest advantage is since finding out I was entering the games Katniss and Haymitch have been teaching me how to make weapons. I can make a bow; I can make a knife among the simpler weapons.

After lunch we go back to the training room. This time I am going to observe the tributes look to see who to watch out for who has what talent. Katniss was right it doesn't matter if I show off or not either way they want me dead I will be hunted down no matter what. I go over to the fire station I know this is something I can spend quite a bit of time watching from this station. I want today my focus will be the careers. After watching them for a while the tributes from one and two are definitely contenders. All four tributes are strong at what they do. The boy from One is strong with knives he can throw them and he is can use them in a close fight. The girl from One is definitely good with a sword much better than I was. The Girl from two is good with an axe nothing spectacular but she is good the boy from her district is not dependent to any one weapon he is average in about all of the weapons. The tributes from four are sufficient with the spears. I can tell one thing from the careers is they are great with weapons but like always they have no survival skills. If they are not provide the basic needs like water, food and shelter they will have no clue what to do. I watch the careers for the rest of the afternoon moving from one station to the next never excelling at any of them making sure I keep a low profile. When we are done for the day I go up to our floor and find that Katniss is still not back yet.

Gloss POV-

By the time we are able to go back to the training center it is already dinner time. We had several appointments today. I have mixed feelings when it comes to Katniss and I having our appointments together in a way I am glad since if we have to do them at least we are together. I am able to watch her and make sure she is safe. At the same time I hate having to watch her with any of them. I don't even know if I could describe how I feel having to watch it. I know there is no way I can do this for long I have a hard time controlling myself every appointment. The nice thing is we can remind each other why we are doing this. She gives me strength when I need it the most.

Once we get to the elevator she is still clinging on to me. This is normal after these days we normally cling to each other not wanting to let go. I now know that she needs me just as much as I need her after a day like today. There is no way I am leaving her tonight. I already talked to Cash and Savory letting them know that I will be up with Katniss until the morning when I will then go back down for breakfast. I hold Katniss close to me where are bodies almost melding together. When we walk through the door Effie and Haymitch are on the couch whispering to each. As soon as they hear us both of them look at us with concern written all over their faces. I am guessing that Gale is in his room I am hoping we can get to her room without him noticing us. I know he is tough but if he saw her right after an appointment he would flip out. Katniss is always in a daze like she is in a whole different world where no one can touch her. Once we reach her room I shut and lock the door. I then go to the bathroom and start the shower.

I know the first step for both of us to move on for the night is to take a hot shower. I go back over to Katniss undress her and then myself. We get in the shower the water is so hot that my skin is burning but I refuse to turn it down. I need to feel like by skin is burning off to wipe the day away not only that but then to scrub my skin raw. I see that Katniss is doing the same thing I don't even try to stop her I know she needs it just as much as I do. When we have been here long enough are skin is red and raw. For the most part we don't talk. I wrap her in my arms "Kat I love you so much and you can lean on me now I can be your strength." She just buries her face into my chest and cries and cries letting me hold her. As soon as she has regained her strength is when I step out of the shower. Knowing we will not talk about it again tonight. We decided long ago the best way to get through this is to let ourselves fall apart in the shower. The moment we step outside of the door we put it in the back of our minds where it cannot hurt us or tear us apart but we never forget.

As soon as we are dressed Katniss is back to herself. I hate how this is how we function but it is. It is how all of us victors function. I walk over to Katniss wanting to kiss her to hold her. Once she is in my arms I feel like I am home. It is the only place I really belong. "Are you ready to find out of today went for him."

"I am scared Gloss."

"I know you are but we can ignore it. Let's go out there and face it?" I take Katniss' hand and we walk out of the door just as Gale is walking out of his room. The three of us walk over to dining room. When we sit down at the table none of us talk it not until Haymitch ask Gale. "How did today go?"

"I stayed to myself tried a couple of new things and made sure I did not stand out. I do have to say I know I did well with that."

"Gale how do you know that?"

"Watching listening."

Gale POV-

We don't say much during dinner. I really don't want to talk here where I know there are listening ears. I want my conversations private. I know I need to tell Katniss and Gloss what I heard at lunch. I am pretty sure he is going to be pissed I know I would be if I were him. As soon as we are done with dinner I tell them that we need to talk. The three of us then head upstairs to the roof to talk. When we get to the roof Gloss ask "Ok now what really happened today?"

"For the most part exactly like I said I just skipped over the conversation I overheard which I think you will be most interested in."

"Let's hear it."

"At lunch the Careers were talking about the two of you and myself."

"What did they say?" I can tell by the tone of his voice he is already starting to get pissed. If there is one thing that sets him off it is Katniss.

"Man, I know you are going to get pissed at this but I think you should know. Pretty much they were talking about your relationship with Catnip here. Your tribute was saying how disgusting your relationship is and how it is appalling that you could love her. They were also talking about how she is hot and probably good in bed. I can see Gloss knows there more to it. He knows I am leaving part of it out.

"Not like that is the first time I have heard that and it won't be the last time either. You said they were also talking about you what were they saying?" Katniss asks.

"You were right Catnip it didn't matter if I showed off or not I am there first target anyway. They were trying to decide it I could do anything or not. Right now they don't think I have any talent."

"Good then you will take them by surprise. Are you going to ally yourself with anyone?" Gloss asks.

"I don't think so but I only watched the careers today so I will know tomorrow for sure."

"Well we have already gotten quite a few sponsors for you already. I would suggest you get a decent score though. You should be fine without allies if you know want them." Catnip tells me

After we go over the day's events the three of us just sit there none of us talking. What do we say to each other I know Catnip and I are not huge talkers and I can only guess that Gloss is not as well.

The next two days go in a blur. It is the same as the first day of training. I learn skills and weapons I have never used or if I have used them I make sure I am clumsy with them. The main difference is I watch the other tributes instead of the careers. I learn that besides the one, two, and four there are about five other that I will have to watch out for. Most of them are due to their survival skills. Catnip on the hand has had to continue with nonstop appointments. She won't tell be about it but I know she is hurting right now. I am so glad she has Gloss sometimes I think he is the only one that grounds her.

Right now I am sitting here waiting for my turn for my private session with the Gamemakers. I am still not sure what I am going to do I know I want to get around an eight though. "District Twelve Gale Hawthorne" I walk in to the room announce myself. Its then I notice that most of them are completely drunk. There was a few watching me. I go over to the bow and shot a few of the dummies, I then show them some of my snares and skills with an axe I know it will be similar to a pickaxe. When they finally give me the go ahead to leave I walk out and up to my floor. I wish Catnip was there but I know she will still be with Gloss at their appointments. As soon as I walk in I know I am right she is not here. It's obvious when she is not here because Haymitch is always on edge when she is not here. Haymitch asks "How was your sesson?"

"Fine, most of them were drunk though. I showed them some of my bow skills, snare and axe skills. They barely noticed me though so I am not sure what I will get. God I was so pissed all I wanted to do was through the ax or shoot an arrow at them."

I hear Haymitch laughing and just look at me like I am crazy. "What. What did I say?"

"Did Katniss ever tell you how she scored an eleven?"

"No."

"She did exactly that she shot an arrow towards the Gamemakers."

That is something that Catnip would do. She lets her anger get the better of her sometimes. It took everything in me not to do the same thing. If Snow was in that room it would have taken everything in me not to kill him right then.

Katniss POV-

Once Gloss and I go back into the dining room. We leave the day's events back in the shower where they cannot touch us. I don't know what I would have done if it wasn't for Gloss he keeps me grounded he is my rock. I sit across from Gale knowing that in a couple of days I may lose him. My best friend may be gone in the matter of days and if he makes it out then he will never be the same again. I know I am not the same person I was a year ago. The live of a victor changes everything about you. You are not even close to the same person you were before. As soon as dinner is over we go sit on the couch to watch the scores. All of us are here Ivy our other tribute, Portia, Cinna, Effie, Cinna, Haymitch, Gale, Gloss and myself. I sit in between Gale and Gloss. We know it is starting when we hear Cesar start talking. The districts one and two get nines and tens. Three gets six and seven, four gets eights, five through eleven gets between five and seven with an odd eight. Then I hear Gale's name and he gets an eight which is perfect not to high and not to low. Ivy on the other hand gets a five.