Hey folks, Chapter 4 of Spark of Revolution here. I hope you guys are liking it. I know some folks have been looking forward to the events that come up in this chapter, benign as we get to really see our boy Caesar and have the tribute interviews. I hope you all enjoy and like always please leave a review and favorite the story if you enjoyed it.
Heads up for those interested check out the Discord Server myself and several other readers and writers from around Fanfiction congregate in. /KzpC7TVy It's operated by AizenTheGoat and has a stellar community so come on down. I mentioned it before but this fic idea is actually a prompt from Scoopball98 who can be found here on fanfiction as well as that server mentioned a second ago. So send him some love as well as my guys Kiege and TheChamp123 as all three have helped me with building this story. They can also be found here on fanfiction as well as in the server.
Next I want to state an obvious fact...there are differences to canon coming up. Far larger ones than previously seen. I don't really believe I should have to say it but lets be honest there will be someone commenting about the changes if I don't...probably will be if I do as well. Anyway there will be changes to the order of certain things so just expect it.
Anyway last but not least I just wanna touch on a couple of reviews I was sent.
"Yeah, this is kinda dragging to be honest…" Thanks for the review but I have to disagree being as the story has already had a murder and another person put in the hospital form a beating I think there has been enough action to supplement my build-up. Either way we grow closer to the arena every chapter.
"Your Naruto is a coward he backs down…" Gunna have to disagree here as well being as once again, Naruto has actually murdered someone and I'm not sure where you are getting the idea that he acts like Peeta.
Finally on with the story!
Chapter Four
The Stage
The majority of those involved with the District Twelve tributes had gathered around a filled banquet table, laughing and drinking to celebrate the scores the two tributes had gained. It was rare enough for a tribute to get a score of eleven, but for both tributes of a district to receive it and not be career tributes from District One or Two was completely unheard of.
Still while Effie, Protia, and CInna laughed and chatted, Katniss quietly ate while sporting a small smile. As infectious as the happiness from the others was, she still felt the looming arena fights hanging over her head. Her high score didn't really make her feel all that much better than she had before. In all honesty she was just as vulnerable as before, except now she and Naruto likely had more sponsors looking to back them in the games.
The teen was pulled from her thoughts as Haymitch entered the room. He had cleaned up somewhat and stopped drinking so much. His small grin wasn't even mocking like it usually was. Still, As Katniss looked at him she couldn't help but feel there was something in his eyes. Maybe a trace of sadness. She wasn't sure what for. Maybe it was because he knew she and Naruto would be fighting in the arena soon. That likely both of them would be dead in a matter of days.
Katniss had no way of knowing how close she was with that. Haymitch was feeling a bit of guilt at the moment but it wasn't specifically to do with the hunger games. Sure the thought of one of the teens at least if not both of them being killed soon bothered him but he had mentored enough dead tributes to be hardened against such things. No, his guilt came more from the conversation he had just had with Naruto. The reminder of his personal failings. Somehow they just compounded the feelings behind his professional failings as a Mentor.
"Oh! Haymitch you should join us. We're having some of your favorite for dinner." Effie called out when she noticed the man.
"Alright." He replied brushing his bangs out of his eyes.
"Where's Naruto?" Katniss asked as the Mentor sat down.
"He's in his room…" Haymitch replied.
What he didn't say was that Naruto had converted the bedroom into his own personal training area. Evidently the training given to all the tributes wasn't quite up to his normal routine in District Twelve. Not that he trained truly back home but he was used to climbing and hiking through mountains and over ravines for several hours a day. Not to mention he was known for getting into fights on a regular basis.
"Now, listen, tomorrow's the last full day before you are taken to the arena. They let us work with our own tributes right before the games, so you and I will be going down to the training room at nine in the morning." Haymitch explained.
"What about Naruto?" Katniss asked.
"He says he wants to be trained on his own from now on. I believe his exact words were along the lines of 'I didn't need your drunk ass in Twelve and I don't need it here.' Or at least that was the part I remember." The old victor said.
Katniss was quiet for a time. She could catch the flicker of hurt in the man's eyes as he repeated Naruto's words. She had suspected there was a bit of history between the two before. Not good history either. Naruto was tense typically but being around Haymitch seemed to make it worse, almost as much as the capital citizens or the Avox servants.
That being said she didn't like the idea of Naruto being passed over for training. It wasn't fair to the boy, and opponents or not he was still...no she supposed they weren't friends were they. They were more than just competitors though. She wouldn't let Haymitch just throw him aside like he was already dead.
"You can't abandon him." Katniss said. The heat in Haymitch's glare took her off guard when she said that.
"I haven't abandoned him, sweetheart." Haymitch hissed at her. "He doesn't want me training with him. This kind of thing does happen at this point usually. There's only one winner, right?"
Gone was the somewhat warm smile he had earlier and back was the sardonic grin he usually wore. Katniss could understand Naruto's distaste of Haymitch, at least to an extent. He really was an asshole, he just had a way of getting under your skin.
The room grew tense as Katniss turned back to the table. Haymitch stared at her for a time before going back to eating. The rest of the gathered support team members didn't handle the atmosphere well either timidly glancing back and forth and avoiding Katniss' gaze when she looked up from the food in front of her.
"Who wants some chocolate covered strawberries?" Effie asked, trying to reignite a happier conversation.
"Oh, my, yes." Portia replied brightly.
"Please." Cinna chimed in. Both stylists were happy to move away from the discussion of the games. Neither was truly supportive of making children kill each other.
Naruto grunted as he pushed through another set of pushups. Since he was young, workouts or simply moving around helped him to focus his thoughts and clear his head. He knew he was passing up decent advice from Haymitch but in truth, it wasn't a secret that by this point most mentor's selected one of their district's tributes to focus on with the hope of victory.
He wasn't one to be cocky necessarily but he felt Katniss could use the additional help from Haymitch more than himself. Added on to that was the fact he didn't really want all that much to do with Haymitch for his own personal reasons and the choice to go his own way from here on was easier than he expected.
That actually was a bit of a lie. He had rarely been frightened in his life since the death of his parents, but now as the day of the games drew nearer, he felt the rising stress from what he would be facing coming on. He kept reassuring himself he had plenty of advantages over his competition. That Katniss herself was likely his biggest threat, but still, he felt the worry in the back o f his mind. To actually contend with the thoughts of his death was a sobering thought.
Naruto sped up his pushups to force the thoughts from his mind. He didn't want to think about what was actually coming up. His focus needed to be on what he truly desired from this trip. The one positive from the whole of dealing with the airheaded capital populace and being forced into a blood sport with other kids. He'd be speaking to an entire country from the biggest stage in Panem. He'd be televised live with no censorship and could speak his mind and they could do nothing to stop him at all.
It was nothing compared to the oppression the Capital pushed onto the districts, but he would give anything for the chance to shame these people in their ivory tower. Even if it meant he would end up dying in the days to come. Not that he didn't hope to win and live of course, but he was willing to die if just for a chance to spit in the capital's face.
It was the night before their final day in the capital. Naruto, Katniss, and the rest of the tributes had been forced into what Naruto considered ridiculous clothes once again for interviews with the Hunger Games host Caesar Flickerman. Outside in the stadium surrounding the stage hundreds, perhaps thousands of the Capital's people gathered to watch the last big event before the start of the true games.
Various capital elites, including several of the Hunger Games' tribute sponsors filled the front rows of the crowd as the show began. Screens filled the waiting room Naruto and Katniss shared and despite their situation and looming time in the arena they couldn't help but be impressed with the size of the crowd.
The interviews rarely had such large audiences, the tribute parade was one thing in a massive open air avenue but the stadium was packed to the brim with people, some in the back having to stand for lack of seating. As the music blared, the game host sprung from his chair and welcomed the audience as they roared their approval.
"Welcome, welcome, welcome to the Seventy-fourth Annual Hunger Games!" Caesar bellowed causing a new wave of raucous cheering from the crowd.
"Now. In about five minutes they're all going to be out here. All of the Tributes that you've heard about from the Reapings and from their Escorts. Are you excited?" The host called out, dragging out his final question to further amp up the crowd.
"Let me hear it!" The crowd roared even louder.
By now, the novelty of so many screaming people in one place had worn off for Naruto. The changing camera angles showing the smiling and cheering crowds' faces stirred bitterness in him once again and he couldn't help the small scowl that took over his face. He hated how much they enjoyed all of this. The laughter of Caesar Flickerman rang from the screen as if mocking him specifically.
As the show got truly started Caesar began to calm the crowd down slightly so he could begin the first set of interviews.
"Ladies and gentlemen. It's truly time to meet with our contestants. As usual we'll be starting with District One, but just to change it up a little why don't we give these fine young man an opportunity to go first. So Starting us off from District One let's have a big round of applause for our first Tribute Marvel!" Caesar called out getting cheers from the audience once again as the career tribute made his way onto the stage.
Marvel was confident, bordering on cocky. Cheering along with the crowd and standing tall and proud. His interview was short and to the point and Naruto could tell the boy was sure of himself and his victory.
After Marvel was his fellow District One Tribute Glimmer. She seemed just as confident as her colleague, but seemed less inclined to brag about it. Not that she didn't act plenty cocky with her answers to Caesar's questions, she just seemed content to answer what she was asked while Marvel had seemingly considered himself the star of the show.
"Are you prepared?" Caesar asked her.
"Yes, completely." She responded with a shining smile.
From there The host moved on to District Two. While District One had careers, Naruto knew those from District Two were the truly deadly competitors. Especially the male Tribute Cato.
"It's an honor to be representing my district." The athletic blond said staring out over the crowd with a serious gaze.
"You're a fighter." Caesar commented getting a nod.
"I'm prepared. I'm vicious. I'm ready to go." The way he answered, almost giddy with excitement had Naruto on edge.
The older boy had clear bloodlust in him. It had shown from time to time in their days in the training room, but as they grew closer to the games, Naruto could see the true level of it slipping through Cato's attempt at a stoic facade. District Two had raised their career to be exactly what they wanted. An animal behind a handsome face.
Clove, the girl of that same district, was much the same. However, Naruto could already see the sadism in her. Cato wanted only to kill, she would take pleasure in inflicting pain. A tiny thing, but he had no doubt he'd rather face Cato than her in the Arena. Sadly he'd more than likely end up facing them both if they kept to their home district's usual tactics from the years prior.
One by one the Tributes were paraded onto the stage in what looked to the capital residents like elegant and fashionable clothes before pretending to chat with Caesar about how they would win. Most Naruto could read easily enough. Barely keeping their mounting fear in check to try and win themselves more backers. Others seemed focused and determined. None of the other tributes had handled things like the careers though. They knew they had the people's attention. They always did after all.
That would be true if it wasn't for the mounting attention on Naruto and Katniss this year. Whether by planning on Effie's part or just luck, the mix of her interview and their high scores from the evaluation had brought the spotlight to District Twelve. The question remained if the teenagers could use tonight to really swing that in their favor.
"You can climb trees, You're pretty quick. And are you a hunter? A gatherer?" Caesar asked the youngest girl, Rue. Naruto pitied the girl from the neighboring district.
Finally, it was his turn. Last District, second to last tribute. As the usher pushed him forward Naruto took one calming breath before he squared his shoulders and pressed forward down the small curving hallway to enter the stage. He could hear Caesar in the distance and readied himself for the crowd.
"From District Twelve, District Twelve, you have come to know a little bit about him already, the bad-boy of District Twelve. Let's hear a warm welcome for Naruto Namikaze!" Caesar called while waving his hand back toward the entrance Naruto was using.
Even after mentally preparing himself Naruto was a little caught off guard by the mixture of the crowd, lights, and deafening sound. Still he pushed forward, settling for narrowing his eyes when Caesar placed a hand on his shoulder and looked out at the crowd with a stone-like face.
After a gentle nudge from the host Naruto followed Caesar to the seats sitting across from one another. Naruto took a moment to collect himself before locking eyes with the host.
"That was quite the entrance you and your fellow tribute made the other day in the parade." Caesar started with. Naruto was quiet though as he nodded.
"I guess." He finally said.
"You guess? Well you don't seem to feel very strongly one way or another it seems." Caesar said, getting a spattering of laughter from the crowd.
Naruto fought back the sneer at that. Before clearing his throat and relaxing a little. He was where he had wanted to be, he needed to focus on why he wanted to be up here so badly.
"Actually, that couldn't be further from the truth Caesar. You want to know how I really feel about all of this?" Naruto asked. He could see the small flicker of worry in the man's eyes, not enough for the camera's to catch but Naruto was right next to him.
"I think we all would, wouldn't we folks?" Caesar quickly regained control and pushed on.
"Alright then, straight to the point." Naruto felt that doing it quick and just saying what he wanted was probably best anyway.
"I despise you. I'm angry to a point that is hard to describe because I look around here and I see nothing but the spoiled and the rich who are planning on dumping children into an arena to fight to the death. Not just for the first time either, for the seventy-fourth time. I don't even know anyone from back home that is that old. I'm no saint, but I can still look down on you people." Naruto said looking directly out at the crowd. He expected boos, and maybe for things to even be thrown at him. Instead, after only a moment of silence they seemed to cheer for him even louder than before.
"Wow what a monologue!" Caesar called out, clapping with the spectators. Naruto turned his gaze back to the man while blinking owlishly. It didn't make any sense. None of this did.
"You certainly seem like the roguish type. Still I wonder what you family back in District Twelve thinks of your point of view?" Caesar commented trying to keep the show moving on.
For a second Naruto continued to be confused before Caesar's words registered in his mind. He had to fight off the cruel smirk that tried to plaster itself onto his face. Caesar really was the perfect host, setting him up like that so easily. He almost wanted to thank him.
"My family? What family?" Naruto began bringing Caesar and the audience to silence.
"You know I would love to know what they thought of me right now too, but I don't have any idea. My father was beaten to death by a peacekeeper after demanding safer conditions in the mines when a collapse killed some of his friends. My mom was killed for trying to stop the beating." Naruto scanned over the quietly murmuring audience, a little happy that something seemed to get through their thick prissy skulls.
"That's truly tragic. I'm sorry for your loss." Caesar said, sounding genuine as far as Naruto could tell.
"I doubt that." He still remarked with a scoff. "The people back home understand. Most of the other districts do too. People like me and Katniss understand each other but people like you have no idea. All you do is sit here in your ivory tower and mock the suffering of the rest of our country."
There was a short beat of silence before Naruto relaxed into his chair again. They had quieted down, sure, but the crowd didn't seem guilty and ashamed like he had realized he was hoping for. They barely looked bothered at all beyond pitying glances sent up his way. It made his blood boil. The hypocrisy these people drowned in drove him crazy.
"You mentioned your fellow tribute Katniss Everdeen." Caesar began suggestively causing Naruto's eyebrow to lift in a silent question. The host motioned at the screens behind them that began showing clips and still images of himself and Katniss in the training room.
Naruto hadn't realized it at the time but the times he had helped her at the hand-to-hand terminal or the knife fighting station seemed far more intimate now. His chest pressed to her back as he carefully guided her in practice. The slight blushes on both their faces from the exertion matching his current complexion as he noticed just what Caesar was implying. This was all Effie's fault from her interview earlier during their time in the capital.
"Whatever my relationship with Katniss it's no one's business but ours. Even if it was the business of the public none of you would understand it anymore than you can understand the feeling of starving." Naruto growled out lowly, but the mic easily picked up his words.
Naruto, it seemed had said the perfect thing, if he had been trying to further win over the people of the capital. The women seemed to swoon and the men jeered loudly about being young again. Naruto stood out of frustration, growing to fury as Caesar spoke as well.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our gruff survivor with a soft spot for his lady love, Naruto Namikaze!" Caesar called out with a flourish of his hands.
Naruto didn't look back as he stormed off the stage and back to the waiting area. He didn't need to. The roar of the crowd was deafening and told him everything he needed to know. The jokes by Caesar continued as the man said he'd be quick as possible with Katniss's interview so the pair could spend some time together getting yet another round of cheers and laughter from the audience.
'I spit in their face and they cheer me on and tease me about a pretend relationship. What the hell is wrong with these people?" Naruto thought. He was completely baffled by the experience. That hadn't gone as he had planned for at all.
Coming around the bend in the curving hallway he nearly ran into Katniss and Haymitch as he passed by. They greeted each other briefly before Naruto glances at the audience still seeming to be feeding into Caesar's hyping up of the false bond between Naruto and Katniss.
"They really are insane aren't they. I told them I despised them straight to their faces and they loved it. They make up that we're some secret lovers and they scream our names. I hate this place. It doesn't make any sense at all." Naruto grumbles.
Haymitch looks his usual self, that is to say a mocking grin spreads across his lips and his eyes twinkle in amusement at the sight before him. Naruto wanted so badly to knock that grin off the man's face. He would have tried to do just that if it wasn't for Katniss' hand lightly gripping his forearm to reassure him.
He didn't really know what to say to her. He felt stupid for letting it get to him but he would be lying if he didn't feel somewhat awkward around her now with the idea of the two of them in some sort of relationship between them having been essentially confirmed by his poor handling fo the interview. In the end, simply sighing long and slow to try and release his stress from this whole mess and giving his fellow tribute a reassuring nod was all he could do.
With a final offering of good luck to her. Naruto watched as Katniss began her walk to meet with Caesar and start her interview. It was only then that Naruto noticed the camera crew nearby among the throng of support staff running the show.
His eyes went wide for a moment before they narrowed to slits and he stalked toward the camera crew. Soon they were in full retreat as he demanded to know if they had been filming this entire time. Unknown to the boy from District Twelve, his very real outrage at the camera crew was being eaten up by the viewers who loved the drama of the situation.
For Katniss, things were intimidating to say the least. She was just as unused to large crowds and attention as Naruto was. Thankfully seeing Naruto go before her had given a little more time to have her bearings when she finally did make her way to the seat beside the host.
"So that was quite the touching moment there backstage." Caesar began causing her to blink at him before noticing the replay of the recording of herself, Naruto, and Haymitch just moments ago.
"I guess." Katniss responded, causing Caesar and the audience to laugh heartily at the unintentional similarity between herself and Naruto in that moment.
"Just like a fairy tale story you two. Really you are! Like you're the beauty calming the beast's raging heart. What do you say folks?" The screams and cheers were a clear affirmative to Caesar's question.
"I dunno about a beast…" Katniss began softly grabbing both Caesar and the audience's attention once more. "Naruto just comes off harsher than he is. He's actually really kind, you know he puts his name into the Reaping jar the maximum number of times every year but he gives most of the money to families in the poorest part of our District. My own family even. You already know he brought my family food in the past thanks to Effie." As she spoke she felt more at ease and surprised herself about how easily she could slip into talking in front of so many people. An internal voice whispered that it was probably because she wasn't talking about herself at the moment.
"You know that sounds more like he has a special place in his heart for you rather than for people as a whole." Caesar pressed on with a teasing grin, getting laughs from his fans.
Katniss blushed at the words and the thought of her fellow tribute in such a way and simply mumbled out a second 'I guess.' before clamming up slightly at the round of awws she got from the crowd.
"This seems like just a bit too much to keep chatting about for now so lets move on." Caesar said seeming to take a bit of mercy on the poor blushing teen.
"You know, my heart practically stopped when the two of you came out of that tunnel during the parade and seemed to burst into flames. I have to know if they were real. Did you just have on a protective layer or something or was it all some sort of illusion?" the man asked.
"They were real. My stylist Cinna came up with the idea." Katniss said regaining a bit of her composure. Having recollected herself, Haymitch's reminders about 'performing' to win more sponsors and supporters.
"Do you want to see it?" Katniss asked with a pretend coy smile.
"Is it safe?" He replied with a mock worry, getting a nod from the teen as she stood up to the applause of the crowd.
Slowly at first Katniss began spinning. As she picked up speed and her dress flicked up slightly it seemed to catch on fire, growing bigger and brighter the faster she spun around. After a few more spins she had to balance herself, with some marginal help from Caesar before being led back to her seat. Of course the audience once more roared their approval.
After Katniss regained her balance in her seat and the crowd quieted back down Caesar seemed to grow a more serious expression on his face.
"Katniss, you have been a real joy tonight, I just have one more question for you. It's about your sister." Caesar said as he took her hand between his own like he was comforting her.
"We were all very moved, I think, when you volunteered to take her place as tribute. Did she come to say goodbye to you after the Reaping?" He asked.
"Yes." Katniss said quietly, barely above a whisper.
"And what did you say to her before you left?" Caesar asked.
"I-I told her that I would win. That I would try to win for her." Katniss said after only briefly hesitating from the rapid changing of mood.
"Of course you did and try you will." Caesar said as he pressed his lips to her knuckles before suddenly lifting her hand high into the air like a champion.
"From District Twelve, Katniss Everdeen, The Girl on Fire!" He shouted, getting cheers from the audience.
When she came backstage she came across Naruto leaning against a wall. An odd look on his face as he stared at her. Katniss wasn't sure why but she stopped beside him and just waited silently along with him as they listened to the show outside the room begin winding down for the night.
"Why did you say all that nice stuff about me." Naruto asked her. Turning to look at him again still she couldn't read his expression.
For his part, Naruto was doing his best to school his features so that he could try and get a read on her regarding her own thoughts. This whole day was outside of his comfort zone and he had definitely not expected Katniss to practically go up to bat for him with Caesar in front of the whole country. It was a weird feeling hearing other people talk about him like he had previously with Effie and now with katniss.
"What, was I wrong?" Katniss asked. From what he could tell though she just hadn't really thought much of it. Probably just her normal personality then. She did give out a lot of the game she hunted to those who needed it more in the Seam after all. It really was probably something she would do just to be nice. Again it was an odd feeling. Naruto wasn't too fond of such oddness, and coupled with the weirdness of the people of the capital is all a bit much.
"Well Haymitch said he'll see you in the evening. I guess they loved us. We're expected to have a lot more sponsors than most District Twelve tributes could have imagined in the past." Naruto said. He didn't seem truly happy though.
For Naruto he felt like he had missed his opportunity. His big chance to really shame the capital in the only public way he could. It had literally done nothing to them. They loved him for it. By now he was almost happy they would be going into the Arena soon.
It was late at night but Naruto couldn't sleep at all. He wasn't a coward, still he felt fear at the thought of the coming games. He'd watched them his entire life. No matter how prepared he was he could still lose and when he allowed himself to finally think about that possibility he felt that deep seated desire to survive no matter what.
Even if he had to kill others to do so. It felt selfish but he wasn't one to give up and let someone walk on him. Even if it was a fight to the death.
What bothered him the most is that out of everyone in these games, he was likely the only one that had killed before. He knew what it felt like to end someone's life. Still he didn't really want that again. He hadn't particularly enjoyed killing before, though he had enjoyed killing the man who had murdered his parents.
Naruto, sat silently watching out the window to the capital streets below as the people hollered and chanted. Just looking at them distracted him from his thoughts on his own mortality. Though it only did this by making him focus on his hatred for the capital.
As if to distract him from his murderous thoughts toward the people below him a new presence made itself known with the quiet tap of feet against the floor.
"Hey." Katniss said quietly as she slipped into the window seating beside Naruto. The boy just nodded to her as he continued to stare down at the crowds of people below.
"Can't sleep either?" She asked.
"Not a bit. Probably come back to bite us in the ass tomorrow." Naruto huffed out with a smirk directed at Katniss. He liked the small smile she had as she bobbed her head in agreement.
"Look at them down there." Katniss said watching the crowds. Her smile slipped away and Naruto felt similarly to her as he glanced back down again.
"Yeah. They act like animals but look down their noses at us. It'll be different one day though." Naruto said quietly. When Katniss heard him, however, she could almost believe it.
The pair sat in silence for a few more minutes before Naruto finally stood but stopped before he left.
"Starting tomorrow we may not be enemies off the bat but eventually we might have to fight one another. Just know that I want it to be the two of us as the final two, or at least for one of us to be the one going home. Try to get some rest. The first day is the bloodiest." He then walked off without waiting for a reply.
Katniss watched him leave, pulling her knees up to her chest thinking about the fighting she would see tomorrow. Shooting a final glance at her fellow tribute's back as he disappeared up the stairs she couldn't help but feel upset that they would end up pitted against one another at some point.
"May the odds be ever in your favor." She said sarcastically as she stood up to do just as Naruto had recommended and try to get some rest.
The next day Naruto sat strapped into his seat on the hovercraft waiting for the various staff members milling about to complete their checks and last minute injections. Those same injections embedded trackers under his and the other tribute's skin.
Naruto almost missed hearing the cheering of those in the capitol. The flight was entirely too quiet. Not a word spoken beyond the simple commands from the game makers and peace keepers that herded them around.
Even after landing everything was quiet. Echoing footsteps down a hallway empty except for himself and the lines of peacekeepers that Naruto felt were a bit overkill by this point.
Then, just like the hallway and the flight, he found himself in a silent room with nothing but the change of clothes for the arena. Durable pants and boots, comfortable shirt and a flexible waterproof jacket. It wasn't a lot but it was honestly a bit more than he had expected.
He didn't waste any time waiting to change. It was something to try and focus his mind on. It didn't work well, his thoughts still drifting to the bloodshed that was coming in a mere few minutes.
For a time he could do nothing but sit and wait. Arguably the most agonizing few minutes of his life, truth be told. When the automated voice called out thirty seconds he jolted at the sound, having gotten used to nothing beyond his own breathing. Slowly he stood and stepped over to the tube that would take him into the arena.
At twenty seconds he couldn't help the urge to simply not step in. To simply not ride the narrow little elevator up that tube into the arena. He couldn't tell if it was the thought of him being seen as a coward for it or the fact he knew they would force him in one way or another that led him to stepping in when the voice hit the ten second mark.
As he was lifted up, for a brief second he was blinded by the bright daylight. The moment his eyes cleared he began scanning the clearing he found himself in. At the center of the circle of tributes was the cornucopia as Haymitch and Portia had called it. Inside and around it were all manner of supplies and weapons. Less useful items were scattered in smaller and smaller amounts the further away from the metal shelter you went. Naruto didn't really bother with looking at the spears, swords, and other weapons near the center. Instead, not far from his position was a small bag of supplies along with three knives of different length and size.
Scanning the competition he caught Katniss's eyes briefly before she glanced back at a bow and arrows near the very center of the clearing.
'Don't be stupid.' He thought while shaking his head at her. He didn't want to fight Katniss in all honesty, at least not on the first day.
As the counter passed the eight second mark Naruto took a breath and settled himself into a ready position. He had to focus. He knew his objective. The bag just before him, he just had to get there quick and make sure he was ready to fight for it. The two nearest tributes to him would hopefully prove only marginal competition. To one side was the District Four boy, the twelve year old kid. On the other was the District Six female. She seemed to be eyeing the same bag that Naruto himself had.
For some reason he didn't want to have to kill anyone on the first day. But if she really tried to stop him from taking that, he wouldn't hold back.
As the counter hit three second Naruto huffed out a final sigh at the thought of the coming fight.
"Them or me." He murmured to himself.
Alright end to another chapter, as you can see our next chapter should start off with a bang. The Bloodbath will be just the opening so stay tuned for more.
Till Next Time.