As the train was pulling into the station, we could all see the crowd gathering in the station, and to my great surprise the cameras. Not that it matters that the cameras were there, I had already turned invisible before making my way to the door. When the doors opened, Peeta, Katniss, Haymitch and Effie were swarmed by the cameras. While they were dealing with the crew, I slipped away and found Mrs. Everdeen standing in the back. I approached her quietly and whispered in her ear, which caused her to jump.
"A lot of things have transpired since your daughter was crowned victor. Most of it bad, so when you get a moment come find me." I said.
I know Mrs. Everdeen is familiar with my voice, but she wasn't expecting me to sneak up on her like that. She turned to look at where I had been standing, but I wasn't there. Mrs. Everdeen was beginning to wonder if she really hear my voice in the first place. The cameras were in the district for the whole day, and then left. I stayed out of sight, not wanting to risk any spies seeing me. The night of our return home Gale came calling, but I saw Mrs. Everdeen making her way over so I left the door open for her too.
"Tea?" I offered the pair.
"Yeah." Gale said.
"That sounds great." Mrs. Everdeen said.
I put a pot on the stove to boil, and then had a seat at the table. "It goes without saying that whatever is said here tonight, does not leave this room." I said.
Gale gives both me and Mrs. Everdeen a blank stare. "Gale." she said.
"Yeah, okay." he said.
"So tell me, how much trouble is my daughter." she asked.
"If I had to guess she should have died, or Peeta for that matter, but the stunt with the berries has angered the Capitol to no end." he said.
"It has. And the way we're going to keep the Capitol at bay is letting Peeta and Katniss take their relationship deeper." I said.
"Deeper. Why would you want to do that?" he asked.
"That's not the question you should be asking." I said.
"That's my question. Why should I let my daughter, your sister, date Peeta properly?" she asked.
"Katniss is you sister? You two don't even look alike." he said.
"That's a metaphorical statement." I said to Gale. To Mrs. Everdeen I said, "They're technically are already dating."
"What a minute. I remember now. Katniss said that there was once a boy that she looked up to as a brother, but—hold on, you're supposed to be dead." he said realizing my true identity. "You died the night of the interviews."
The Capitol's forces lost me to the Rebels, and said that I was killed to avoid humiliation at my disappearance. I escaped with a few of the rebels, and stole a prototype invisibility suit." I said.
"Who knows?" he said.
"Stay focused, Gale. There are more important issues at hand." she said.
"Katniss's big brother has been roaming the district for four years. She is going to be very angry about that." he said.
"Who do you think got Katniss and Peeta the supplies when they were in the arena?" I asked.
"I know you did it, but you were masquerading as somebody else. How am I supposed to keep this from Katniss?" he asked.
"This isn't over yet." I said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"President Snow will be watching Katniss like a hawk for the next six months. For any sign that the berries were a ploy." I said.
"We let them go about their relationship as if nothing happened. You think this is actually going to work? You think that the Capitol won't call their bluff?" she asked.
"The Capitol is going to have a dozen other fires to put out." I said.
"Oh." she said.
"The other districts." he said.
"Huh?" she asked.
"The Gamemakers were supposed to crown only one victor." I said.
"But they crowned two, okay. How do the other districts factor into this?" she asked.
"The other district will be so emboldened by the fact that Katniss spit into the Capitol's face and got away with it that they will try to rise up against the Capitol's rule." he said.
At this point the kettle began to whistle, so I got up and pour the water for the tea. As I sat back down I could see the fire in Gale's eyes. "Easy there Gale. The path that you are thinking of traversing will result in a lot of dead people." I said.
"This is our chance. We can overthrow the Capitol's rule, and gain true freedom." he continued.
"There is a better way, and a way that won't sacrifice the entire district." I said.
"It seems that the rebels are going to get their wish after all." she said.
"What?" both Gale and I asked simultaneously.
"They wanted you to lead the charge in the fight against the Capitol." she said.
"What?" he asked, looking at me.
"How do you figure?" I asked.
"You know what I mean." she said.
"I can't do that. My hands are too dirty for that." I said.
"Are the rebels' hands any cleaner?" she asked.
"I can't take center stage yet anyways." I said.
"You're still are leading the charge against the Capitol." she said.
"I don't understand any of this." he said.
"When I was a tribute in the Games eight years ago, the rebels wanted me to be a figure head for their rebellion." I said.
"Whoever has the victors on their side, controls the future of this country." Gale said.
"Yes, now go to bed Gale, Sasha and I have many things to talk about." she said.
I walk Gale to the door, and then he left. "Now where were we." she said, as I was sitting back down at the table.
"The Capitol is going to be watching Katniss like a hawk." I said.
"Do you think the Capitol will come after Katniss?" she asked.
"They can't kill Katniss, outright. That is too risky for them, even for President Snow, so they will try whatever they can to punish Katniss." I said.
"How?" she asked.
"Snow could kill Gale, he's a no body, and questions wouldn't be asked if Gale died. But that wouldn't have the desired effect." I said.
"You think they're going to come after Peeta?" she asked.
"If they wanted to punish Katniss, and for it have the desired affect? Yes, they are going to come after Katniss through Peeta." I said.
"I still don't see your point." She said.
"Katniss is an anomaly, just like me. She is going to beak all the rules that the Capitol has in place." I said.
"That's going to put them in a hard place. Plus now that she's a victor, it's going to put more strain on the Capitol." she said.
Mrs. Everdeen's statement caught me off guard. It never occurred to me that the Capitol might look at the victors with malice. But how would I get the victors out of the districts with as few problems as possible.
"Sasha?" she asked.
"Now the question that we have to answer is how we get the victors out of the districts without the Capitol stopping us." I said.
"How exactly do you plan on doing that?" she asked.
"Not exactly sure, but it's not going to be pretty." I said.
"Good night." Mrs. Everdeen said, kissing me on the forehead.
After she left I had to think long and hard about what our next move is. All I know is that I didn't calculate the Capitol coming after the victors, so my counter move is what? I don't have a clue what that is at the moment, so when I get in touch with Cinna again I'm going to have to tell him about this little snag. It's not that bad of a snag seeing as how it's going to be addressed as soon as possible, but what can we do about it. I'll just have to send my concerns to Cinna, and then he and Plutarch can take care of it.
It takes Katniss and Peeta two days to move all their necessary supplies and materials into Victor's Village. I ventured out of my house from time to time, but I mostly stayed home, or in the woods. With the spies in the district keeping an eye on Katniss and Peeta I want to keep a low profile. Over the next six months I see Katniss and Gale head into the woods every other day, but when I venture into town Katniss and Peeta are attached at the hip. The Capitol must be beside itself because Katniss and Peeta are inseparable, and all the while they are putting out fires in other districts.
Mrs. Everdeen came by to check up on me, but she also came to see if there was a way she could contact me in case of an emergency. I had a hand held version of my bracelet communicator, so I gave it to her with a strict warning not to let Katniss or Prim know that she has it. The day of the Victory Tour I was making my way through the town looking for supplies. It was just like any other day until I saw a couple of vehicles with the Capitol insignia on them at the train station.
Something about the situation screams trouble, and by the direction the vehicles were heading it was trouble for Katniss. I was making my way back to my house when my bracelet start vibrating. I made my way back home quickly to see what Mrs. Everdeen needs. I get in the door, and place the supplies on the counter and check the message.
President Snow is here to talk to Katniss. I'm not sure what it's all about, but I want you to keep an eye on her during the Victory Tour, was the message from Mrs. Everdeen.
I put my supplies away quickly, and then grab my gear. I turn invisible, and make my way to the Victor's Village. I slowly make my way towards the front window of Katniss's house, and check for any of President Snow's guards. I can see two from the front window, but if I had to guess there are going to be at least five more guards. Where the rest of them are at I have no clue. I make my way to Haymitch's house to hideout for the time being.
I walk into the dining room to see Haymitch passed out, as usual. I didn't have time to waste, so I crack the window and wake Haymitch and get down to business.
"What are you doing here?" Haymitch asks, when he comes to his senses.
"Our girl has run into a spot of trouble, and I've been called in to keep an eye on her." I said.
"What's the problem?" he asked
"I saw a couple of vehicles pass through about thirty minutes ago that had the Capitol insignia on it. And my guess is that they're coming to speak to Katniss about her involvement in all the fires that the Capitol has had to put out." I said, taking a seat across from him.
"Fires?" he asked.
"I placed bugs in keys areas in the President Palace six months ago to keep an eye on the Capitol's actions, and let's just say the other districts have been keeping the Capitol busy. But somehow I missed this visit. Mrs. Everdeen asked me to tag along on the Victory Tour." I said.
"Think you might be able to get some back up?" Haymitch asked.
"Depends on the number." I said.
"Just the Jusik twins." he said.
"That can be arranged." I said.
"The first stop will be District 11." he said.
"You only expecting trouble in District 11?" I asked.
"Uhuh." he said.
At this time the front door opened, and closed. A few seconds later Katniss walked into the dining room. "Oh, you're already awake—Kai! What are you doing here?" she asked.
Katniss walked over, and gave me a hug. "Someone called in a favor." was all that I said.
"Who called in a favor that would make you do something?" she asked.
"That's beside the point. Kai informed me that you have company at home." Haymitch said.
"Who's come to see Katniss, and didn't come to see me?" Peeta asked entering the dining room. "Kai, when did you get here?"
"About ten minutes before Katniss did." I said. Peeta has a loaf of bread in his hand, and as if it was scripted Haymitch hands Peeta a knife. Those two must be spending a lot of time together. I think.
I sit and watch the three of them interact, and I accept Peeta's offer for a slice of bread. The three talk amongst themselves for a little bit longer, than Katniss ask. "Who came to see me?"
"There was a caravan from the Capitol that came through, and they're at your house right now." I said.
"Why would they come here now?" Peeta asked.
"Katniss still hasn't been properly punished for beating the system six months ago. I'm not exactly sure what is going to be said, but be wary of what happens from this day forward." Haymitch said.
The blood in Katniss's face had drained just ever so slightly. If I had to guess Katniss thought that she had played the game to the Capitol's liking, but it seemed that the leadership had other plans. "Don't let on to fact that you were informed about their presence. They less they know the better." I said.
"Isn't that dangerous?" Peeta asked.
"If you haven't figured it out yet, Kai here doesn't have an aversion to danger." Haymitch said.
"Says the man who has been playing games longer than I have." I countered.
All Haymitch did was shrug his shoulders because there wasn't much he could say. He has been playing the Capitol's Game for twenty-five years, but now he has someone more willing to do the dirty work. Haymitch may seem like a useless human being, but he knows anybody who's anybody. And in this Game that is the difference between life and death.
"Go home Katniss. You have to see what kind of trouble that we have to deal with." Haymitch said.
Katniss gave the three of us a hug, kissing her boyfriend, and then went home. The three of us were sitting silently in Haymitch's kitchen. Haymitch and Peeta said a few words, and then Peeta went home.
"Did Mrs. Everdeen get in touch with you?" he asked.
"Yeah." I said.
"That is really dangerous." he said.
"You want to know what's really dangerous. For the first time in history of this whole fiasco the Capitol has a reason to come after the victors. Katniss's defiant behavior is going to be a problem for the Capitol." I said.
"You mean to tell me that the Capitol could come after the victors? For what?" he asked.
"Katniss can't be contained, and she is going to embolden the district by defying the Capitol's rule." I said.
"So what's you plan? You realize I'm in this mess now because I'm a victor." he said.
"I'm going to talk to Plutarch about that when we get to the Capitol." I said.
"The train leaves in an hour, so be on it." Haymitch said, and then went to get changed.
I turn invisible, and the exit the house. As I'm making my way back to town I hear the vehicles starting up, preparing to leave. I get off the road, and decide to message Cross to get the Twins ready, and meet me in District 11. I explain Haymitch's fears, about how there may be trouble when Katniss and Peeta visit. All Cross response was that he was getting them ready. I kill sometime in the town waiting for the train to arrive. Haymitch was wrong in his schedule because the train was already here, so I sneak on the back and wait for this party to leave. As I was waiting, Cross messaged me back asking where they should set up. I sent a message back saying that I would have to get back to them on that.
Thirty minutes later I could hear voices outside the train. As I approach one of the rear windows, I can see people gathering outside in preparation to see Katniss and Peeta off. Ten minutes later, the vehicle carrying both tributes and their teams is approaching the station. The teams get out of the vehicles, say a few words, and the board the train. I watch as the two teams split up, but I follow Haymitch to his room. Haymitch enters his room, but leaves the door for about thirty seconds. I take that as a sign that he is expecting me to enter, and then he shuts the door behind me.
"Any question about District 11?" he asks.
"Where should my team set up?" I asked.
"The Justice Building. It's the biggest building in the district. The last room on the right, towards the back, is open." Haymitch said.
Haymitch opens the door, and I exit. I make my way to the dining car, and steal some food. Not enough for the Capitol attendants to be suspicious though, but just enough to stave off the hunger. I eat three small meals a day, and do so throughout the duration of the tour. When Haymitch and I aren't talking strategy, I'm in my room. At night I can hear Peeta pacing the halls, and I'm pretty certain I know why that is: nightmares. Now that I think about, I finally understand why Haymitch stays drunk constantly. It takes us two days to get to District 11. The first day of the trip I hear a knock at my door, and open it to see Haymitch. He didn't say anything. He actually motion for me to be silent, but to follow him. I shut the door, and we walked to the back of the train.
Upon entering the room, both Katniss and Peeta were already waiting. I got a hug from my siblings, plus a surprising kiss on the cheek from Katniss, and then we get down to business.
"What did President Snow have to say?" I asked.
"How did you it was the president?" Peeta asked.
"The president wouldn't have sent one of his lackeys to handle this kind of business." Haymitch said.
"President Snow wanted me to prove to him that I loved Peeta." Katniss said.
"What?" Peeta asks
"Huh." was all that Haymitch said.
"Why prove to him? Why not to the districts?" Peeta asked.
"The districts have been revolting for the past six months. There is no pacifying the districts." I said.
Peeta's mouths hit the floor when I said that the districts had been rebelling, but from the look on Katniss's face President Snow had said this to be true. "The only reason that President Snow told Katniss to prove to him is because he wants to use Peeta against her." I said.
"What?" both Katniss and Peeta asked simultaneously.
"You two aren't that slow." Haymitch said.
"Why would President Snow want to know if I truly loved Peeta?" Katniss asked.
"If President Snow was ever to get his hands on Peeta, he would torture Peeta. Torturing Peeta would stop Katniss from doing anything against the Capitol." I said.
While my words were sinking in, I sent a message to Cross that we would be arriving in District 11 in two days, and that the Twins should set up at the Justice Building.