Author's Note

Hi everyone, I'm finally back to writing this story. Sorry for the long wait in this chapter, but I was struggling with how to proceed through the actual game. It feels like I'm repeating the story in my own words, but I get so distracted by the originals that I sometimes forget my own plot. So I've been reading a lot of works by other authors and trying to find a balance between my own story and the actual Hunger game.

Chapter 9: Making plans

The past two days have been quiet, too quiet. Katniss thought to herself as she walks towards her fallen prey, a small wild turkey that would serve as lunch for her and Rue. It's the only actions she's been getting, which in her opinion is perfect, but she knows the capital audience will not be satisfied by the peace. Someone in this arena has to act soon or else the game makers will act and she doesn't want to know what new twist tactics the game makers have come up in the past year. After all, that's basically what these people do, partying and inventing new ways to kill children.

Picking up the turkey, she walks back to the small makeshift campsite they set up earlier this morning and begin prepping the bird for roasting. If she is being completely honest, the past two days with Rue was almost enjoyable, if not for the fact they were inside the game. The small girl's friendship has given her a sense of solace and comfort, amidst all the bloodshed and cruelty of the hunger game. She feels purposeful every time she lays eyes on Rue, much like the way she felt caring for Prim back home.

"Hey Katniss, what are we having?" Rue asks in a chirpy voice as she sat down across from Katniss, dumping an armful of berries onto a large leaf next to the small fire.

"Someone is in a good mood," Katniss teases before answering her question, "I got us a wild turkey for lunch."

"I can't wait," Rue giggles as she pops a berry into her mouth, "we don't usually get a lot of meat back in 11."

It almost hurt to see that hopeful glint in her doe-like eyes. The feeling of responsibility returns again. How easy it is to forget other's sorrow. While she struggled on the brink of starvation once, there are so many others struggling to survive past each day. She is lucky to live in the district where the peacekeepers are most lax with their enforcement of rules, usually turning a blind eye to the poaching.

She splits the turkey in two and hands Rue the larger piece, she would try her best to keep the small girl sitting across from her well-fed and safe. "Any updates on the other tributes?" Katniss asks casually as they begin their small feast. Rue has proven herself to be quiet stealthy and resourceful, something Katniss learned soon after waking up to hear the girl update her on the whereabouts of the other tributes.

"I went to check on the careers this morning, they went in the direction of the field after breakfast, I think Thresh is there last I checked, so we should be relatively safe staying where we are, but if you want to go on the move further into the woods I'm down for it." Rue says between bites, "Also, I think they recruited the boy from district 3, I saw him staying behind at the cornucopia after breakfast and organizing the career's supplies."

"Interesting, I didn't know the district 3 boy had any associations with the careers. The alliance this year is such an odd bunch." Katniss remarks at the new information, it's so odd how tributes from outside of the career districts are making their way into this year's alliance, something that almost never happens in the history of the hunger game. What is Cato playing at, providing safety to the weak?

"Who knows what they are up to," Rue shrugs her shoulder at her comments, but didn't offer anything else.

They ate in relative silence after that, but a little voice nags in the back of her head, telling her something major is going on and she's missing it, something to do with the careers. But every time she feels like she is inching toward the truth, it slips from her mind again. So she brings up a different topic with Rue.

"Are you suggesting doing something to the careers?"

Katniss thought about it, before carefully articulating her idea, "I think we could do something to their supplies if you say only the district 3 tribute guards it." I can take him head-on even if his armed. She doesn't say the rest, because it sounded wrong even in her head. "We need a way to make sure they won't return to the Cornucopia for at least 30 minutes so we could finish the job and get out of there."

"A diversion perhaps? Something that will lure them away on a chase?"

This girl knows what she's talking about, Katniss thought to her self, strategizing has never been her thing, but Rue makes it easy. "You know it, I'm thinking about a big bone fire, it should generate enough smoke for the careers to see from enough distance that it gives the distractors enough time to get away."

"Why not two, or better yet 3? We can light them consecutively with a 10-minute interval to confuse them!"

"That's brilliant Rue!" Katniss exclaims, "But that would mean we need to separate, one person needs to light the bone fire and then go to the next one. I'm…not sure I'm comfortable leaving you alone." Katniss voices her concern. Although if the plan goes smoothly, Rue would be able to slip away undetected, if anything happens, she will have to face 3 deadly careers on her own and that really doesn't sit well with Katniss.

"Come on, Katniss, I can do it! I've been on my own the first 3 days of the game." Rue says lightly, reminding Katniss way too much of Prim when she is trying to keep her from worrying. "Plus, I want to do something, I want to make a difference in this game," Rue says quite as Katniss gazes into her eyes and see the determinate glint in her dark orbs. At that moment, she could perhaps understand what Peeta meant when he said he doesn't want to be just another piece of the game.

She still wants to say no, but Rue's puppy dog eyes were all it took for her to give in to the young girl's request. "Alright, but we have to plan this out to the exact, and if I'm not satisfied with the plan then you are not leaving my side, we clear?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Rue says with a mock salute that made both girls burst out with laughter.

Before long, the crisp night sky falls upon them. Time seems to fly during the game while events seem to slow. They can spend hours in one spot talking while people could be dying in places they cannot see.

Despite the well thought out plan, Katniss felt uneasy before going to sleep that night. Logistically it is foolproof, they have fail-safe and communication signals. But this is the Hunger Game and nothing is foolproof. So many variables out of their control could happen, the game makers could even interfere on the careers' behalf, although they are not supposed to show favoritism. But the whole system is set up to favor the careers, who are they kidding. Deciding not to let her worry get to her, Katniss tries to clear her mind and think about the good things back home waiting for her to return to. Tomorrow is a big day after all.