Special Thanks to everyone who has stuck through with KENS...thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the likes, comments, reviews, kudos, emails, and just for reading. It means the so much to know you guys are enjoying this story. Also to my rock, my beta, and bestie norbertsmom who is always willing to go down the rabbit hole with me whenever I get a crazy idea.
The Reaping is upon us everyone is gathered but what will happen will Primrose get reaped? Will Peeta get reaped? Either way, Katniss will volunteer to go into the games to either save her sister or the boy she didn't stalk...
Everyone at the Reaping expected the Capitol Escort to come out in some ridiculous outfit like she did every year. Instead, Thread came out of the Justice Building with a large stick in his hand.
Fear spread amongst the children and spilled into the crowd.
"Citizens," Thread's voice boomed over the loudspeaker.
Katniss jumped.
He stood there on the stage staring down the audience and no one dared to move. They were all terrified of this man. He represented more than just the law, he personified death to many.
"An important message from our President," Thread barked as the music came on and a video started to play on the large screen over the stage.
The sweeping music died down and the camera focused in on the President sitting at his desk wearing a dark suit with a fur collar. Coriolanus Snow's snake-like eyes seemed to stare at the people through the lens of the camera. He might have looked grandfatherly to those who did not know him, but he was a killer.
Everyone held their breath in anticipation of what the President had to say.
"Citizens of Panem, we thank you for your willingness to participate in the Hunger Games. As we know the Games began because of the Dark Days. A poisonous war gripped our nation, pitted brother against brother and annihilated the peace which existed in Panem for centuries. It nearly destroyed our great nation. We swore we would never know that treason again."
The screen slipped into the images they used for The Hunger Games. Like the rest of the assembly, Katniss questioned what was going on.
The camera faded to black, then back to the President sitting at this desk. He continued speaking.
"The decree for a tribute to be offered up in pageantry known as the Hunger Games born out of that War has united our nation for 73 years. On the dawn of 74th Games, we are gripped in a state of unnatural magnitude."
The president paused and the camera zoomed in on his face.
"Unprecedented weather that has gripped our great nation, the very nature we depend on to supply us with our means. All around Panem we are experiencing an unusual phenomenon. Unparalleled temperatures like these, which have not been seen since before the Dark Days siege our peaceful borders. The very transportation systems we depend on have failed us. The unpredictable climate has forced us to make a decision."
Abated stillness blanketed the audience as they waited to hear what the President was going to say next. Would the districts have to choose two tributes and hold a deathmatch to satisfy the blood lust of the Capitol? Would two names be called and placed in a bowl with slips from every district so that the Capitol could pick a name to be shot by a Peacekeeper until one lone name existed in the bowl?
"This year we will suspend the Games, but in keeping vigilant with the aforementioned decree. In honor of the Third Quarter Quell, we will have three times as many Tributes. Those who would have aged out this year will be given another chance to represent their district one last time. It will be a spectacle to honor the proclamation for the 75th Hunger Games.
"However, to commiserate the loss of the annual pageantry, a sacrifice must be made. Therefore, no commerce, trading or otherwise will be permitted for a period of forty-five days, the length of the longest Games ever recorded." President Snow smiled and softly greeted. "May the odds be ever in your favor."
The screen darkened and the music blared.
They were all shocked, stood mouth agape in front of the giant screens as the snow fell. Katniss all but forgot Thread stood in the middle of the stage. He watched the reactions of their small District with curious detachment.
"YOU HEARD OUR PRESIDENT! NO BUSINESS CAN BE CONDUCTED FOR THE NEXT 45 DAYS!" The man shouted; his voice sounded like that of a bear.
Fearful of him, everyone scurried back to their homes. Katniss grabbed Prim and their mother but as they came to the crossroad that lead to the Seam, Katniss saw Rye and Peeta headed their way.
Rye picked up Prim in his arms as if she didn't weigh a thing. "Come on, you guys are coming with us."
"But," Katniss sputtered.
"Katniss, come on." Peeta took her by the hand.
Katniss looked at her mother.
"Dear, you need to listen to them." Lavender briskly took off following Rye and Prim.
Katniss glanced at Peeta who waited for her to make the decision. She nodded and together they walked toward the bakery.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS!" Boudica yelled.
Katniss scowled as she and Peeta closed the gate. They walked into the back of the house where Eugene held Mrs. Mellark and Rye held back her mother. Peeta and Katniss looked at each other, watching from the doorway.
"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE!" Boudica shouted at Lavender, her face beet red, and her fists clenched. Lavender narrowed her eyes, her cheeks were tinged pink and she gritted her teeth. Katniss had never seen her mother act this way; normally she was a docile, placid woman.
Lavender stood taller, her voice was soft but it carried a menacing undertone. "I gave you a wallop once Boudica. I can do it again."
It was then all eyes turned to Katniss and Peeta as the back screen door slammed shut. His mother focused in on them, her eyes zeroing in on their twined hands.
"I think we should all come inside, and talk things through calmly." Peeta opened the door. They all shuffled inside.
The warmth of the ovens heated the room and made both Katniss and Peeta's cheeks turn pink. Peeta acted as if he was used to removing Katniss scarf, hat, and coat. With not much else to do, Katniss hung their coats on the peg by the door. She figured now was as good a time as any to divulge her closeness with Peeta. Mrs. Mellark seethed, her mouth open and shut several times, but no words came out.
"Boudica, I will not allow you to disrespect Katniss and her family," Eugene said as he uncharacteristically lifted his wife and sat her firmly in a chair.
"Mom, we invited Katniss and her family here," Rye said angrily.
"I will not allow that ungrateful little traitor to…" Boudica sputtered. "Defile this household!"
"MOM, I'm not going to stop seeing Katniss!" Peeta voice was firm and unmovable. Katniss knew this tone very well. She glanced at the tilt of his chin; it was stubbornly set. She saw the surprise in his mother's face. Katniss hid her smirk. Peeta wasn't going to stop seeing her come hell or high water.
His mother fumed. She looked to her husband, all the while pointing at them. "Eugene, aren't you going to do something about this!"
His father stuck his hands in his pockets. Katniss saw the same stubborn trait in Mr. Mellark that Peeta exhibited. Her eyes turned to gaze at Peeta. Hee wasn't finished speaking.
"Mrs. Everdeen, with your permission, but only if she'll have me, I want to court your daughter."
"You cannot, I forbid it!" Boudica balled her fists in protest.
Peeta ignored his mother and turned to Katniss, his blue eyes held the world in them, and it stole Katniss' breath away. "I know you don't want marriage, Katniss, but let me court you. Please give me…us a chance to be with one another."
Katniss felt all eyes on her. It was pure irony that she'd had two declarations of love in one day. One boy's declaration a misguided attempt at forgiveness and the other's was driven by kindness and gentle passion. To court was a big deal in the District. It was a definitive step toward a Toasting.
Marriage wasn't something Katniss ever wanted, but today she'd pictured Peeta's children. She'd never pictured anyone's babies, not even her sisters. She gripped Peeta's hand and her eyes searched his. Here was this boy with his heart in his eyes offering her everything he had at his disposal. He was willing to forgo a Toasting just to be with her.
Her mother was right, she had choices. Presently, they were still too young to be married. They had to wait until their last reaping; this gave Katniss the necessary time to make her final decision. In the meantime, they would have to be even more careful during their courtship. Katniss slowly took in Peeta's broad shoulders, his ruddy features, the gentle hands that held her when she came to him. Katniss shifted her view and was startled to see her mother Lavender raised an eyebrow. A smirk appeared on her mother's face. Katniss blushed; her mother was gauging her reactions.
Having a mother for a healer had its advantages. There were ways to prevent pregnancies, and if in the future the circumstances changed, she would gladly have a child. Her heart slammed up against her chest. A year ago if this would have happened she would have denied Peeta. But now she couldn't. Katniss wanted this boy, wanted everything he offered, and while she still held reservations about marriage, she was willing to entertain the thought.
Her words failed her so she used actions; she stepped toward him, shyly nodding her consent to being courted by him. She smiled and her body felt elated when Peeta wrapped his arms around her and placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. It was a binding kiss and she lifted up her lips to his and he pecked them.
Prim clung to Rye as Boudica calmed down. Her fists were no longer balled, and her face lost its harshness. Katniss' mother's and sister's eyes were wide and filled with happy tears. Joyfully, Peeta picked her up and twirled her around and there was a joyous cry amongst those gathered, except for Mrs. Mellark who looked pale.
"Eugene, you knew about this. You've let this go on in our house?!" Boudica whispered.
"They love each other," Eugene said quietly.
Boudica glanced at Katniss dismissively. Katniss was ready to slap the woman. Boudica opened her mouth to speak.
"Careful with your words Boudica; that is my daughter you're about to address," Lavender warned.
Boudica shrank back. "Fine, they are in love and they are courting, but they can't wed, she's Seam."
"You've forgotten she isn't Seam, by law she's considered a Merchant." Lavender threw in her face. "If anyone in this room is Seam, it's you."
"What is she talking about mom?" Rye asked.
Boudica's lips thinned. She crossed her arms across her chest and turned her head away, ignoring his question.
Eugene sighed. "After the first rebellion, the Capitol divided us, Merchants and Miners. They prevented us Merchants from working in the mines. It caused strife between the Miners and Merchants, which was the Capitol's intent. To prevent another rebellion."
"They passed laws to hurt the men in the district. A lot of men in town had Seam wives, so it hurt them. Only those sons or daughters born to a Merchant woman could inherit. A house divided falls upon itself, your Great-Grandmother would often say," Lavender added.
"It's why the shops can only be passed on from Merchant to Merchant family." Mr. Mellark looked at Katniss. "You and your sister are considered Merchant because your mother's a Merchant."
"Wait, does that mean we're Seam?" Rye grinned clapping his hands together.
Boudica became paler as everyone laughed. "Enough of this nonsense," She ignored Rye's declaration. "If this is what you want, I will not be opposed, but Peeta will not inherit the bakery."
"Says who?" Rye spat. "Dad's the one with the inheritance and he makes the determination, even if Peeta is the third son. Plus I don't want this place. I'm not cut out to be a baker."
Mr. Mellark laughed. "That's what I've been telling your mother. It's the reason I want Peeta to inherit the bakery."
"Come on, I promised Primrose cookies," Rye said, smiling sweetly.
Primrose looked like the heavens had opened up.
"What," Rye looked at his mother. "We got to get rid of the stock somehow. We won't be doing business for the next forty-five days."
"You should take the bread and freeze it," Lavender said. "This way you'll have plenty to eat for the next forty-five days."
Peeta, who'd been quiet all of this time spoke out. "Dad, what about the business? We can't survive for the next month and a half. I know they'll still want their taxes at the end of it."
His father rubbed the back of his head. "We have our taxes. I allocated money to buy our supplies for the next quarter. If we're careful, we can pay our taxes and have enough to buy supplies."
"It's not going to get better," Katniss said. She recalled what Madge said yesterday before the reaping. Katniss glanced at Rye's who looked like Peeta when he was thinking furiously. It occurred to her, she needed to say something without giving away too much. She turned to them, speaking urgently. She needed to warn them. "I don't think supplies will be coming."
Boudica asked harshly, "Why not?"
"What do you know?" Lavender asked.
"Weren't you standing by Madge?" Rye prompted, giving Katniss a believable reason as to introduce what she knew.
"Madge said all of the districts were suffering from this cold, even District Four. And the President said it himself, the whole nation is frozen. That means grain crops haven't been planted in District Nine. Nothing is growing, maybe even in Eleven, but who knows. We might have no food soon," Katniss whispered.
Eugene sat down heavily on a stool. "I didn't realize."
"They'll sell as much as they can, but it will eventually run out and I'm sure they will feed themselves first," Peeta concluded quickly.
"What are we going to do, Eugene?" Boudica gripped her husband's hand.
"We have chickens that produce eggs, and Lady our goat provides milk. We can even make goat cheese. We can share what we have," Katniss offered.
"We can't accept your,-" Boudica began to speak but she was cut off by Lavender.
"Hush Boudica, we can and we will. Our children are courting; nothing prohibits kin from sharing food." Lavender reminded Peeta's mother of the courting laws in their district.
"She's right." Eugene nodded.
"Your family will have to conserve, put as much as you can in the shed out back, and lock it. Freeze as much milk as you can and save as many ingredients as you can. The cold will make them keep, it's the only thing the snow is good for."
"If I manage to catch anything, I can always share with you," Katniss said.
Peeta gripped her hand.
Mr. Mellark spoke up, "Katniss I know you want to hunt, and we don't want to stop you, but the conditions out there are less than ideal. If for some reason you're caught out there do you have shelter?"
"I do have something," Katniss said trying to reassure everyone.
"Okay, but just don't go out alone, if need be, go with Gale," Peeta said.
Katniss remembered Gale and grimaced. "I forgot about Gale. He's going to be looking for us."
"Katniss is right. We have to make our way back home," Lavender said.
"Good, why don't you girls come for lunch tomorrow, and we can iron out the courting details," Eugene said.
Katniss blushed as she thought of what they could possibly talk about. But as they started to leave, plans were made. As they stood in the kitchen near the door, Peeta questioned, "Is there anything I have to apologize for?"
Katniss gazed up at him, he took a stand today against his mother. She leaned up on tiptoe and kissed him. "No, you don't."
They jumped apart at the sound of banging on the bakery back door. The type of banging that was usually associated with Peacekeepers.