I wake to a grey morning. The moist air is cutting and cold. I can smell the thick sent of rain around us. The fire is out. And has been out for while. Peeta's loose arm drapes over me. While my mother is curled up against my chest. Just a night ago we had made the choice that sleeping separate was overrated. We needed the heat from each other. But have her this close to me made me feeling young again. Like I was 5 years old keeping warm with her as father got ready for the mines. Those delusions where dangerous. Alway triggers a deep pang in my chest. Father was gone and trying to imagine him alive was foolish.

Sitting up carefully. I leave those thoughts lying next to them. I scope out Rory and Gale. The spot their bodies were is now empty. They must've gone hunting. After finishing our supply yesterday we are in need of food if I were to keep going.I feel my swollen belly. To remind myself to take things slow. The pain is gone but the memories aren't and I've felt the stabbing pain that can still make me fall to my knees. It's scary to think how my mother must have felt when she was carrying Prim and I. The uncertainty of her next meal. Scared that she couldn't provide what was needed. I have nothing to offer this child and nether did Peeta. Not even clothing. I could kick myself a hundred times for getting pregnant. And a hundred more for doing it at a time like this. I could imagine how much resentment they would feel towards me. Mistakes I couldn't fix even if I had the guts to. I mentally apologize. And hope he or she can forgive me.

Slipping away for my company. I grabbed my boots and head to find Rory. They can't be far. It's easy to track them down. Gale's big boot leaves a clear print to follow. After a ten minute walk I see them before I hear them.

Rory was hold the biggest bow. While Gale is behind him holding up his. Teaching the posture for shooting. It's a posture I remember Gale having trouble with his first few time.

"Loosen your grip." Gale's stern voice directs Rory. "Arm up, Rory. Come on higher." He says as he slaps drawn back arm up to the right height. In one swift moment Rory losses grip and the string slaps his face making a large smacking noise against Rory's check. The same check that's been whipped before. My breath catches in my throat when I here the first of Rory's whaling. Dropping the bow he grabs his face. I feel my gut drop. I've felt the pain of the whip against my arm and even my face before. Although I was younger it motivated me to do better. I ate the pain until there wasn't any to endure.

But the scream that came Rory told me it was serious. So I run to him. Because I know this will trigger that horrible day near the hob. That first lash trying to save his brother.

"Rory!" I yell to him.

"No, leave him!" Gale says as I reach them. Gale stops me as I got to comfort Rory.

"What are you crazy? He's hurt!" I say pushing Gale away.

"Get up Rory!" Gale's voice booms in my ear. "You've got to be strong. This should be nothing. Get up."

A shaky Rory gets to his feet slowly. The rustling of the crack leaves under his feet tells me his in-surety. He keeps his heads in his hands. The crimson seeping through his fingers. He sniffles trying to hold back the clear emotion.

"Let me see." Gale says nodding to Rory's hands. Rory's eyes meet mine and I can see hes wounded just on his face.

"He'll be fine." Gale murmurs. As Gale turns Rory lunges for Him. Pushing him down to the ground. I hold my breathe remembering that last time I seen Peeta and Gale fight.

"Rory no!" I call to him.

Before I could stop Gale he launches for Rory tackling him to the ground.

"Gale! Stop!"

Straddling Rory, Gale hovers over him. Pinning him down. Rory screams in anger. Struggling to breakaway from his older brother.

"All this for what!" Gale screams back.

"Get off him!" I demand. Trying to pull him off Rory but to no avail.

"Katniss stay out of this!" Gale yells. Using one hand to push me back.

"You're insane!" Rory screams.

"I'm insane right! I'm the crazy one! But I wasn't crazy when I was providing for you and everyone else! Now I'm trying to prepare you for the world and I'm the bad guy! You have to grow up. Faster than me. You have to fight harder than me! This is a revolution. And if you don't make it out I don't know what I'll do. You have to man up Rory. For mom, Vick and Posy. And now look at you. Crying over a whip from a bow. Why don't you take a look at my back Rory! Did I cry over it. No! I had to get up and provide for your all."

Rory stops struggling. Letting fresh tears fall and mix with the blood of the wound. Gale lets go of him. They both get to their feet in silence.

"This is not the way to make him stronger." I say.

"Have you raised a boy? No. Your coddling will make him weak. He needs to know there will be more of this. He needs to know he can get through the pain... like I had too." Gale says strongly.

Timidly, Rory try's to wipe the blood away. The wound lays directly opposite of his whip scar. Forming a x mark on the side of his face.

I cross my arms in objection. Would it matter what gender he was I'd still take care of him. I'd come to his ad if he needed me. Siblings or not.

"He needs to ice it." I say passively.

"Where are we going to get that in the middle of the woods Katniss?" Gale says as he moves over to Rory. Grabbing his chin to take a better look at the fleshy cut. I roll my eyes at the sarcasm in his tone. How can He kid at a time like this.

"Rory you should show my mother that. she can clean it." I tell him grabbing his hand to leave.

"Let me tell you something Katniss, there's a time in everyone's life where we all die. Weathers it today or a week from now, people will die. War is wrong and brutal. Thats the only way things will change is if we fight back. But harder. So don't give me that shit Katniss. How I raise my children is my decision. Rory will be strong. For his brothers, for his sister, for his family. You should know this more than anyone." Gale continues as we walk back to our set up.

"You know I didn't approve of that right?" I ask. Looking back at Rory. He doesn't say anything.

"I know Gale and I are not on good terms. And I don't agree with some of his methods. But he's partly right." I say.

I stop and pull him into my arms. His head rest on my chest. Soaking my shirt with his silent tears. I sooth him. Petting his hair back.

"Things are gonna get harder. We don't entirely what we are getting ourselves into. If the districts fail. We won't survive this if we don't fight. We'll make it through. We always do. Just listen to Gale. I'm sorry he's like that." I say. Kissing the top of his head.

When we get back Rory heads straight to my mother. Peeta's quietly feeding the fire. He looks up at me as I approach him. Dropping the bow to the ground and plopping myself next to him.

"What happened?" Peeta asks looking at Rory.

"Gale being Gale." I say laying my head on his shoulder.

"So we're going to talk about earlier?" He asks softly.

"No Peeta. We're not." I say. Pulling away from him.

"So it's that bad?" He asks. Making eye contact with me. His face is blank. His hands in his lap. I wrap my arms around myself. Trying to hold whatever I still have of myself together.

"So you'll have justice for the world. For Rue, For Prim. But not for yourself." He says appointive.

"Who do you think your protecting?" He asks.

Rory, Vick, Posy.
I think to myself. They need Gale to survive this. Like Prim and mom need me.

"When you're ready Katniss. I'll be right here. Whatever you feel I can't handle I could. I will. We're a team. Through the games. Through this revolution. And through this." Peeta says as he places a hand over my pregnant belly. I look down at his dirty finger nails. Still somehow cleaner than mine. We are a team. Kinda always have been.

"Thank you." I say emotionally. "For everything." I lay my hand over his. A team.