3.

In the second it took Katniss to react after the demons had bomb-dived through the windows, her brain registered that there were three demons, that they were humanoid-shaped despite the blue scales that passed as skin for their race, that they were wearing some sort of leather armor and that the katanas looked awfully sharp.

The next second, she had jumped off the couch amongst the terrified shouts and cries of the other teenagers and stood in the middle of the lounge area, surrounded by the three demons who lost no time engaging her in a fight. Up close, they looked less human than lizard. Their faces were weirdly flat except for an odd ridge on their brow.

They knew how to use a blade though.

Not getting run through demanded all her attention.

She jumped, kicked, rolled, dove and punched without landing a single hit.

The three demons surrounded her, all of them so strangely identical she kept getting turned around every time she had to change directions to avoid a katana, and forced her to adopt a defensive position. They were closing in and, while she was relieved they didn't seem interested in pursuing the students who had run away, she wasn't exactly happy to be their sole focus.

She was very vaguely aware that Gale, Madge and Peeta were still standing at the far end of the room and that Peeta seemed to be fighting with Gale. Again. She caught bits of sentences. Mostly, she thought Peeta was telling Gale to stay out of the fight so she could focus on staying alive and not on having to save his life.

She sensed the blade coming behind her and twisted her upper body to avoid it, earning herself a long scratch down her arm. She hissed in pain but landed a low kick to the one coming at her from the side, feeling better when she heard him let out a hiss of his own.

They were closing in on her and she couldn't see any way out so she crouched low and leaped in a backflip that got her just over the top of the third one's head. It didn't give her too much room to maneuver though. They immediately turned back on her, a line of blue lizard samurais that seemed intent on running her down.

"Katniss, catch!"

She wasn't sure where Effie had come from and she didn't pause to think about it, she plucked the stake the witch had tossed out of the air and reared back into a fighting stance, relieved to finally have a weapon in hand. She could forgive Madge for not having the presence of mind to fetch one – Madge had never gone with them on patrol and had stated repeatedly that she didn't want to be involved in the fighting part so it made sense she wouldn't really know what to do – but the boys? Gale could have gone for his bow. Peeta knew perfectly well there were several stakes in her bag or more lethal weapons in Haymitch's classroom…

She would have welcomed a more lethal weapon…

A stake against three katanas didn't seem like a fair trade.

Within seconds, she was back where she had started, surrounded and trying hard to avoid getting stabbed, her stake uselessly gliding against their leather armor…

"Effie!" she snapped at some point, desperate for some backup.

"I don't have an opening!" the witch shouted back.

The fight was too close quarter for Effie to risk a fireball or crawling frost, Katniss understood, but it didn't help.

Neither did the growing sounds of scuffle as Peeta wrestled with Gale to keep him from entering the fray. Madge was alternating between ordering them to stop their nonsense and trying to convince Gale that Peeta was right.

Sweat ran down her forehead, burning her eyes. She was tiring and she knew it wouldn't be long before…

Suddenly, one of the blue lizard demons was kicked down and there was a presence at her side and Katniss fought with renewed vigor because if she was straining, there was no way her Watcher would manage better. Haymitch was armed with knives and apparent pure wrath. They fell into position, back to back, still forced to remain on the defense but his presence granted Katniss some breathing space to think and land more precise hits.

"Oh, and he's not going to distract her!" Gale complained, loud enough to make her grit her teeth.

"You're kidding, right? Have you seen him fight?!" Peeta shouted back, his tone dripping with admiration.

Katniss hoped Haymitch appreciated it because, given how the fight was unfolding, it might very well have been the last thing her Watcher would ever hear.

That being said, she was not going to get distracted by Haymitch because he had survived this life for forty years so she trusted him to survive a little longer. And because what he lacked in supernatural strength and speed, he made up for with lifelong honed skills.

It wasn't long before she heard the first grunt of pain from Haymitch behind her though.

"Switch." she demanded.

He obediently ducked and she rolled over his back, whirling around to meet his former opponent with her foot in his guts.

"Effie, fucking do something!" he ordered.

"Gladly!" Effie huffed. "If you and Katniss would move from my line of fire!"

"Light this whole fucking building on fire for all I care!" he spat back.

Time to change tactics then.

Katniss briefly caught Haymitch's gaze as they fought together. A fleeting second was enough to understand each other, even in the midst of a fight. He lured the one he was fighting away from her and its two twins.

It left her two demons to deal with but two demons seemed a lot more manageable than three.

They forced her to jump and duck an awful lot to avoid the blades and it was using all her stamina. Eventually, she was too slow to leap and she saw the gleam of triumph in the dark eyes of the blue lizard demon samurai when he lunged at her, certain he had her.

She twisted at the waist so abruptly she felt something twitch in her side.

The demon tried to backtrack but it was too late, it had lunged too far and with far too much strength. The katana sliced right through its twin's torso.

Katniss registered the look of surprise on the dying lizard's face but she didn't let that trouble her. A leg kick made sure its unintentional murderer let go of his weapon and, soon, she had a katana in her hand and a dead demon at her feet and she felt a lot better.

A glance told her, Haymitch hadn't made any progress though.

His shirt was torn in several places, she could see blood and his upper lip was cut open. Effie was hovering not too far away, her hands raised and glowing gold, an expression of utter frustration on her face… The knives forced Haymitch to fight close to his opponent and she still couldn't find a way to safely intervene.

Katniss readied herself to dispatch the second demon and then go on to help Haymitch but the blue lizard let out a sharp series of hisses that made the other one lift its head and, before she understood what was going on, the two demons had disappeared in a cloud of blue smoke.

She stood there, her ears ringing, her muscles cramped, the katana lifted in the beginning of a parry measure, and she stared at the empty air in front of her.

"If they can puff away why did they even break the windows?" Madge asked.

"Dramatic entrance, I surmise." Effie answered, hurrying to where Haymitch had dropped on the ground. "Are you alright?"

Katniss missed the witch pulling the Watcher back to his feet because Peeta and Gale had rushed to her and were asking a hundred questions a second. The main one seemed to echo Effie's though. She was alright. Just annoyed.

"Thanks for your intervention, sweetheart." Haymitch grumbled, wiping his bloody lip on his sleeve and then wincing in pain. "Real help you were."

Effie tossed him a look, her mouth pursed in clear displeasure. "I kept telling you to give me range…"

"And you didn't think maybe you could have grabbed a weapon and jumped in?" Haymitch sneered. "Grant the girl some space to fight before I arrive? Be a fucking distraction? I know you ain't big on physical fighting but what's the point of having you trained for it if you won't use it when your magic's useless?"

There was a real bite to his words and both Peeta and Gale fell silent, seeming to realize there was a storm brewing not two feet away.

Effie seemed torn between hurt and anger. In the end, she simply crossed her arms in front of her chest in a posture that probably aimed at being bossy but mostly conveyed that she felt bad about what had just happened. "I would have but… How do you want me to fight in this outfit?"

Haymitch's grey eyes slowly traveled down the witch's body and Katniss could see the moment he registered the tight grey pencil skirt that would have constricted her movements and rendered her completely useless in a fight. She knew better than merely think Effie could have slit the fabric to give herself some freedom. There were few things the woman held more sacred than her clothes.

"I've been asking that question since we met and you keep saying it ain't a problem." he deadpanned, slightly less harsh but still not happy. "Clearly, you've been wrong."

"Haymitch." Effie warned.

"You're a Watcher." he retorted. "Maybe it's time to dress like it."

"I have always drawn the line at my closet and if my own Watcher could not convince me to wear terribly unflattering outfits supposedly for my own good, you certainly will not." the witch snapped.

"How about for your Slayer's own good?" he growled.

The way they were glaring at each other told Katniss they were about to kill each other – or something else.

Because it was a well-rehearsed routine by then, she exchanged a long suffering look with Peeta.

"Principal Heavensbee's coming this way." Madge warned suddenly.

The other girl had positioned herself next to the hallway. Katniss was glad one of them had had the presence of mind of self-appointing themselves look out.

"Get rid of the body." Haymitch ordered Effie, waving at the dead demon on the floor.

"Won't we need it for research?" Peeta asked, making a face. "To figure out who these demons…"

"No need." Haymitch cut him off, snatching the katana from Katniss' hand and tossing it under one of the couches. His knives were already gone, back to their usual hiding places.

The woosh of the emerald magical flames made Katniss take two hasty steps back. The body consumed itself quickly.

"They belong to the Order of Tarakas." Effie added. "They are mercenaries." There was a tightness at the corner of the witch's mouth but Katniss couldn't say if it was because of the demons, of Haymitch's rebukes or because of the magic. "Haymitch."

It was the only warning the Watcher got before his cuts mended by themselves and his torn shirt was suddenly repaired.

"You forgot the lip." he grumbled, gingerly touching his mouth.

"No, I didn't." she scoffed. "Come along, children. Quick."

Katniss followed along as the witch ushered them all through the doors that opened on the courtyard at the other side of the lounge area, leaving Haymitch behind to spin a lie to Heavensbee. It seemed the whole school was gathered in the hallways, talking in hushed whispers about the three pranksters with blue masks dressed like ninjas that had blown windows in the lounge. Nobody looked twice at them, not even at the drops of blood she left in her wake.

They didn't stop until they were in Effie's classroom and the door was carefully shut behind them.

"Let me see." the Art teacher ordered and Katniss obediently held out her injured arm. Slayer's increased healing rate or not, she was pretty sure she would have needed stitches if Effie hadn't cast a spell to close the wound. There were areas of magic she could reconcile with.

The witch swayed a little when she was done but she waved away the chair Peeta offered with a small smile. A smile that turned into a pout when her eyes settled on Gale.

Of course, Gale glared right back.

Katniss perched on the corner of a desk, wishing things could be simpler and everyone could get along.

"How do you know these demons were with the Order of Whatever?" she asked to distract herself from the tension in the room.

"Do you think they will come back?" Madge added, hugging herself.

Gale placed a protective hand on the girl's shoulder. "They won't, don't worry."

"Of course, they will." Effie contradicted without pleasure. She seemed a little agitated. "Let's wait for Haymitch to discuss it since he is apparently the only competent Watcher here."

The last part was muttered with pure venom.

"He's just grumpy 'cause he got his ass kicked. The stake really helped." Katniss said with a small forced smile.

"I love your outfit." Madge added after a beat, always comforting. "And you couldn't have expected to have to fight today. You were terrific with the sword the other day…"

She wasn't sure Effie was fooled but the woman softened anyway. "Thank you, girls."

Gale rolled his eyes so hard she was surprised they didn't fall out of his sockets.

Unfortunately, it brought him to Katniss' attention and she had things to say. "You can't try to jump in fights like that. How many times do I have to tell you? Peeta was right. You would have distracted me and it would have been a mess."

Her former best friend sneered. "Oh, I would have distracted you but, according to the old guy who keeps getting his ass kicked by every demon in town, it would have been better if Witch Barbie had cut in?"

Peeta stood up from the chair he had dropped on so fast that it clattered to the floor, his hands were bundled into fists and his breath came out in loud pants. "What did you call her?"

"Do not bother." Effie firmly ordered, placing both of her hands on Peeta's shoulders. It looked soothing but Katniss suspected it was just as restrictive – just in case he tried to punch Gale again, she guessed. The look she leveled at Gale was loathing at most. "It would do you good to learn to respect your elders, young man. You might not like me but I can assure you Haymitch does not get beaten up in every fight. He is quite the legend, actually."

"Yeah." Peeta spat, trying to take a step forward only to be held back by Effie's not so loose grip. "Haymitch's a hero and Effie's fucking awesome, so you better shut your mouth!"

"Language." the which rebuked and was immediately ignored as Gale made a mocking face.

"Ain't you a mama boy…" he taunted.

Katniss swiftly sneaked between the two of them before it could escalate. Again.

Gale, to his credit, immediately deflated. "Catnip…"

"I think you should leave." she said, her face closed.

He stared at her for a long moment, searching her eyes for… something that he clearly didn't find. He clenched his jaw and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Effie let out a sigh of relief that she seemed to immediately regret if the sorry look she sent Katniss' way was any indication.

"I should…" Madge hesitated, looking from Katniss to the door. "I will try to calm things down. Text me when you know about the demons?"

"Sure." she agreed, even though she had no idea where her phone was at the moment. Madge opened the door right before Haymitch could and, for a moment, he stood there, a little surprised, his torn lip still bleeding, and then he moved aside so Madge could duck past him with a quick word of apology.

One look around the room and he closed the door behind him. "So it's only us again?"

He was trying to sound light but Katniss heard the satisfaction underneath. He wasn't entirely comfortable with what she had dubbed the extended team. He preferred it when it was only the four of them.

"Oh, quit being a baby." Effie snapped, quite out of the blue.

Or maybe it wasn't quite out of the blue because Haymitch was the only one who wasn't surprised when she marched toward him and waved her hand in front of his mouth, muttering something under her breath. Next thing they knew, Haymitch's cut lip was whole again.

"Thanks." he mumbled, shooting the witch a look that she purposefully avoided.

Katniss tried not to sigh.

That meant more relationship drama, she was sure. Prim was going to be so mad she had missed it…

"So? Ninja Demons?" Peeta prompted.

"They are more samurais than ninjas if we must go with this analogy simply because of the katanas." Effie corrected, going to sit behind her desk. "And I doubt we have time to get into it before next period. I suggest we meet after school."

Haymitch looked like he wanted to argue but he held his tongue so Katniss felt obligated to say what they were all thinking. "What if they attack again?"

"You killed one of them. It is safe to assume they will take a few hours to regroup before trying again." Effie dismissed.

There was no doubt in the witch's mind that they would attack again, she noticed.

"You know what assuming makes of you and me…" Haymitch mumbled.

Effie's blue eyes darted to him, challenging. "Do you truly think they will try something again right now?"

He studied her for a moment and then granted her the point. "No. I think we're good for a few hours. I'm still sending Katniss home."

"What?" She frowned. "No. That's…"

"You'll be safe in the Village. They won't be able to get in." Haymitch cut her off. "And you fell asleep in class. I told Heavensbee you're feeling under the weather." He lifted his eyebrows. "After that fight, you need a shower anyway. You stink."

She glared at him but it wasn't enough to make him lose his amused expression.

"So do you." she scoffed.

"Charming." Effie sniffed. "We have now devolved to having third graders fights."

"But what do they want?" Peeta insisted, bringing them all back on tracks. "The demons?"

Neither Effie nor Haymitch rushed to explain. Katniss didn't need them too.

They were mercenaries, assassins for hire… And they had gone straight for her.

It wasn't a huge leap to deduce they were after her.

Some action today! Tempers are flaring! What did you think?