Chapter 5: The Last Night

A/N: Heya! Sorry for my recent inactivity, but I'll try to make up for that. Thanks to all of you who take the time to view and read my story! From the bottom of my heart, accept my thanks. This'll be the final chapter before the Games start, so let's do this thing!

LittleMermade - Thanks for sticking with me this far, and I sincerely hope I can make each chapter great.

ForsakenKnight44 - So, you came back from the original story. tThanks for your words of encouragement.

Rain Orion's (D12 Male) P.O.V.

After being coached for the interview and achieving average results with Haymitch, and Cinna telling me to do whatever I feel like, it was time. Cinna and my prep team have dressed me up in a dominantly red suit and matching dress pants. The suit and pants itself has seemingly live black flames burning the fringes. The dress shoes, on the other hand, are vibrant red mixed in with a bright orange for contrast. My hair was left in its normal state.

"They're gonna see you out there. And when they do, they're going to need something to remember you by. That defiant shaggy black hair of yours will be etched into their minds. And be yourself. Pretend you're talking to someone you know. Me, Iris, or even Sophia."

I hope Cinna was joking with the last one. For all I know, Sophia could be dead within the next few weeks.

I'm standing backstage when they call in Velvet. Marcus questions her about her heritage, and she responds with the typical 'Career' answer, hoping the bring pride to her district and her family, waiting back home. I tune out Vulcan's interview for the most part, since he answers with curt words. He doesn't need to play up to anything, and I can respect him for that.

I watch Sophia's interview, and to my surprise, she doesn't give the typical 'Career' answers, and is actually embarrassed when Marcus asks her about the Quarter Quell twist.

I mull over the rest of the interviews, and note that Marcus asking the tributes about the Quarter Quell twist seems to be consistent. Adrian is putting his full bloodlust on display, quoting himself as "Fierce, and absolutely raring to get in the Arena". The girl from 7, Acacia, seems to answer quietly and quickly. It finally comes to District 12. They call in Iris first, as I offer the same words of advice that Cinna gave me:

"Be yourself out there."

"Last but certainly not least… we have District 12's tributes! Everyone, let's hear it for Iris Nilo!"

I watch Iris' interview, as she states that she promised her big brother that she'd win or try to bring me back. The audience raves for her, as Katniss comes in.

"Hey, kiddo. Just remember to be yourself out there, alright? Tell them everything that's happened if you feel like it. Dreams, hopes… anything that will make the crowd like you. They're extremely melodramatic, so go for it."

I nod, and then go into a state of shock as Katniss ruffles my hair as a slight display of affection. The infamously tone-hearted and emotionless victor of District 12… did that. Iris passes me, and the instructor gestures for me to come up, and stops me just as I'm about to enter the stage.

"And our final tribute for tonight… Rain Orion!"

I walk out onto the stage, and meet a cheering Capitol crowd. I wave at them, drawing even more attention. Once I sit down on the white seat, Marcus immediately starts the conversation.

"Rain! You're looking great tonight, I see. What's with your hair?"

"Oh, my hair? There are some things you can't keep down, I guess. My hair falls into that category."

Marcus and the Capitol crowd have a good chuckle at that, and I laugh along with them, and Marcus hits me with another question.

"Now, Rain. You volunteered in your district. Definitely doesn't occur too often, to my knowledge. What spurred you?", asked Marcus.

"I wanted to save my twelve-year old brother. Nothing more, nothing less," I answered.

"I see, I see. Rain, tell me. Rumors abound tell us that you have been getting awfully comfy with a certain female tribute, who's not your partner. With the Quarter Quell twist in mind, who's the 'lucky girl'? Come on," Marcus pressures me.

"There's really no girl I'd like to win with…", I reply nervously, which is most likely because I gave out a blatant lie.

"Nuh-uh, I don't believe that for a second. You're certainly a handsome lad, there's got to be a girl amongst the tributes this year that you'd like to win with, barring your partner.", Marcus pressures me, again.

"Well, my mom said to me that she wanted lots of grandchildren, so…", I trailed off, scratching the back of my head, and I felt my face flare up a little bit. I spot Katniss in the crowd, who points right at me.

Marcus Flickerman started laughing, and the Capitol crowd let out a collective "Awww!" over my embarrassment and at my own expense.

Fortunately for me, the buzzer then rings, indicating that the time is up.

"Well, good luck to you then, Rain Orion. Let's give this man one round of applause!", shouted Marcus Flickerman to the whole crowd, who gave me a standing ovation in an immense uproar. This might just yield me sponsors. Or worse, paint a massive target on my back.

Haymitch, Lukas, and Katniss greeted Iris and I on the way back.

"Good going there, kiddo. So, who's the lucky girl?", Haymitch asked.

"Don't know, old man. Might have to end up killing this supposed 'lucky girl' for all I know," I replied.

Haymitch let out a chuckle. Katniss grinned, Lukas smiled briefly, and Iris started laughing.

"Well, Rain. I better see one of you two amongst the two winners of this Hunger Games, got it? Well, I will see you on the other side." Katniss said as she left.

Haymitch left without saying another word, just chuckling.

Lukas grinned at me, and gave me a thumbs up.

We went back to the Training Center, and I suddenly remembered what I asked of Sophia. I went to the roof, and I found nobody there. I decided to stay, staring out over the city. The view was absolutely breathtaking, and I'd likely never see anything like it again…

Sophia Kirhart's (D2 Female) P.O.V.

I couldn't sleep, so I decided to go up to the roof for some fresh air, remembering what Rain said to me.

"If you want to talk about it… meet me on the roof. After the interviews."

I ascend the stairs and find myself on the roof. I see someone staring out over the city. It's Rain, with that unmistakable shaggy jet-black hair. He turns around and sees me.

"Sophia… couldn't sleep?"

I answer him almost immediately.

"Yeah… of course I couldn't."

He goes and asks me the big question right off the bat.

"...Did you want to talk about what went down earlier? If you don't, I won't mock you. I swear it. On Twelve's honor."

On Twelve's honor, huh? There's an interesting savvy in that. I decide to tell him all about why I've taken to him. I need to get this off my chest, or it may just come back to haunt me.

"OK, OK. You remind me of my best friend. He's dead. Died in the 98th Hunger Games."

"How do I remind you of him?"

I tell him all about Linus, ranging from my feelings for him, his appearance, and me chickening out on telling him how I felt just before he went into the Games. I start crying, something I haven't done in two years.

I expect laughter or jeering, but I instead feel a pair of arms wrapping around me.

"I'm sorry. For the painful memories that I brought back to you..."

I push myself off him, knowing that I might have to kill him, so it'd be best not to get too attached to him. He's now sporting a mischievous grin.

"Why the blushing, Sophia?"

"Ugh, because you just-"

I snap and immediately descend the stairs, ignoring his shouting to come back. I find my way to District 2's floor, and sneak back to my room. Once I'm there, I flop onto my bed.

I drifted off after a little, but not before a thought came into my mind.

Any chance of winning with Rain might as well be zero…. But what is it that I'm feeling right now…?

I fell into sleep's clutches before I could answer my own question.

A/N: Yo, I hoped you enjoyed Rain and Sophia's little moment on the roof. The next chapter, the Hunger Games will start! 'Til next time :)