A/N: Enjoy our latest offering.

Chapter 3

The day was a blur of pictures and reporters who of course zoomed in on their hand holding that had been irritating, but now they faced prep. Castro sat in the room awaiting his prep team.

Katniss' words kept going through his head. 'Just friends'He thought bitterly.'Of all the rotten luck, how did this just happen to happen to me?'He thought as he glared at the ground.

Just then the door flew open. The first was a woman with hot pink hair and skin named Candy and with how bubbly and eccentric she is she seemed to be high on what she's named after... or maybe Morphling.

The second was a man with silver skin and red eyes that like Castro did not seem to speak much his name was Titus.

Finally there was Valia, she had bright yellow skin, blue hair, and only one hand but almost no one knew what happened to the other one, but it left a nasty scar on amputation site so it obviously was not by birth.

"So you're Castro?" Candy asked. Castro just nodded being Castro. "Well you're not so bad," She said looking him up and down. He wasn't sure whether or not to take that as a compliment, it was almost a back handed one. "Do you ever talk?" She asked.

"Not very often." Castro said hoping she won't ask.

"Well that's alright, cute strong, and silent if only you lived here," She said before dragging him out of the room.

They took him to the prep room having been in some waiting room.

The next few hours were awful. Being a boy they luckily didn't wax him but they striped him naked and dunked him into a bunch of weird smelling baths and all that other stuff. Valia seemed to be functioning very well for only having one hand.

They straightened and brushed his hair before standing him naked on a pedestal. Titus grabbed his hand and was eying it in a weird sort of way moving it towards his head. "Titus don't!" Valia said slapping Castro's hand out of Titus grasp with her one hand.

"What was that?" Castro asked.

"You don't want to know." Valia said running her fingers along her stump.

"Something tells me I do," Castro said.

"Oh, Titus is a cannibal." Candy said waving it off as if it were perfectly normal to eat people.

"He is?" Castro said stunned as he looked at Titus.

"Yeah, you didn't know that?"

"No, was I supposed to?' Castro asked.

"Don't you remember the 64th Hunger Games?" Candy asked.

"Well actually no, I never really watch after the blood bath," Castro said and it was true that was usually where the tributes from 12 died.

"Then you must have at least HEARD of him then." Candy said. "How did you think Valia lost her hand?"

"I didn't know," Castro said staring at Titus.

"Did you really eat Valia's hand?" He nodded, but did not speak, "Why did you do that?" Castro asked him.

He just shrugged, "He does not talk," Candy said.

"Why not?" Castro asked Candy.

"The Capital made him and Avox," Valia said.

"Oh," Castro said looking at him regretfully.

"Yes, so we will never know," She said.

"Can't he write?" Castro asked thinking about how Mateo used to do that with some things.

"Well yes," She said.

"Then why can't he just write down why?"

"We have a job to do," Candy said. Castro sighed as the finished prepping him. "Okay wait here," Candy said.

"Could I at least have a robe or something?" Castro asked since he's still naked. Candy threw him a robe. "Thank you," he said putting it on.

"No trouble," She said winking as they left.

He was left alone again waiting for his stylist Portia, who arrived a bit later. For a Capitol citizen, she actually looked pretty normal. She had a lighter shade of dark skin, with puffed blonde hair that is slightly curled and golden, sharp nails. She wore a black dress and lipstick with purple-pinkish eye liner "You must be Castro. I'm Portia your stylist."

"Nice to meet you," Castro said.

"So, as you know everyone has to where something relating to their district's export." Castro nodded raising an eyebrow. "For District 12, that has always been coal miners, but Katniss' stylist and I don't want to do that. We want to make sure people remember you."

"Well alright," Castro said confused.

"He had a great idea having to do with the coal itself to use for you both."

"Alright?" Be said cautiously.

"And what do you do with coal?"

"Burn it?" He asked.

"Exactly, we're going to light you in an artificial flame."

"That sounds dangerous," Castro said.

Portia shook her head, "I can assure you it's perfectly safe."

"Well, I guess have to trust that," He said.

"Good then put this on." She said giving him a black jumpsuit.

He took it and pulled it on

"And this too." she said handing him a headdress. "We won't light it till we're down there though."

"What do I do until then?"

"Just relax, are you hungry?"

"Yeah actually," He admitted.

She went to a table and got him up some food, "Anything you like."

"Uh I always wanted to try cow," He said.

"Well, there are many beef options."

"Well can I try all of them?" He asked.

"Sure, try this first," She said handing him a pack of beef jerky. "They actually keep them at the Cornucopia most years."

Castro loved it. It was awesome. "This is delicious!" Castro smiled.

"Yes, most people like it," Portia said smiling.

"So, what else?" He said looking the assortment over.

"Steak, Hamburgers, Meatloaf," She listed.

"I have no idea what any of those are." Castro said bluntly.

She pointed to each one. He eyed the hamburgers first and took one. He spent the rest of the wait trying foods in an attempt to possibly gain some weight before the arena.

Then they were called down though. "Alright now to the floats," Portia said. She took him down to the area they chariots and stuff were. There he saw Katniss in her jumpsuit that very much showed off her curves even if she did not know she had them.

"Wow Katniss, you loom great." He heard himself say as he came over.

"Thank you, you look great as well," She said.

"Thanks, I'm nervous for when they light it though." Castro admitted.

"So am I," She said.

"Guess we have no choice but to just see though." Castro sighed.

"That's true," Katniss sighed.

Cinna came up with the lighter. "You guys ready?"

"As we'll ever be," Katniss said and Castro nodded. He lit both of their suits and headdresses in the artificial flames. They felt warm, but not burning "Incredible," Katniss said looked at the flames.

"Yeah, they are," Castro said.

The District 1 chariots started to move out. "Alright smile and get ready," Cinna said.

"Right," Katniss said getting up on the chariot.

Castro followed her up and cautiously took her hand. Katniss just held on to it knowing what they have to be, at least in front of the cameras. "Ready?" Castro asked.

"As I'm going to get," Katniss said as their chariot began to move.

As soon as they came out they were greeted by cheers. "They love us." Castro said with a smile waving at the audience.

"Yeah shocking," Katniss said.

"I don't find it hard to believe." Castro said pulling her closer.

In spite of herself she blushed, "Is that so?" She asked calmly as she waved to the audience

"Yes, it is." He said before sneaking a kiss as Effie said.

She kissed him back. As they did, the crowd's cheers grew even louder. "They love it," Katniss said when they separated.

"Just as Effie said they would." Castro said as the reached the half circle.

"Well, she was right," Katniss said.

They ignored President Snow as he came up on the stage.

He gave the usual speech and they were soon in the training center.

When they got back they noticed that everyone was glaring at them. "What?" Katniss asked. They all just turned away. "What is their problem?" She asked.

"Well, we did literally out shine all of them." Castro pointed out.

"Well, when you put it that way," She said taking off her headdress.

Castro took off his own two and both were no long lit. "There's no way anyone will ignore us now."

"That's good," Katniss said giving him a hug as their team approached.

"That was incredible!" Cinna said impressed.

"All we did was wave," Katniss said.

"And kiss." Portia added with a smirk.

"Oh...well yes..." Katniss said awkwardly.

"So… are you guys…?" Portia started.

"What?" Katniss asked.

"Together?" She asked.

"Well...we... Uh..." Katniss stammered.

"Yes." Castro said holding her close.

She seemed a little stunned, but realized she had to go with it in front of the other tributes and nodded. "That's great!" Portia said excitedly.

"Yeah, as unfortunate as it is that will help get sponsors." Cinna said.

"Exactly!" Haymitch said leading the way to the elevator.

"Effie suggested it." Castro said. "So, you think we did good?"

"I think you did great!" Effie said.

They got into the elevator and Katniss said, "By the way, you'll never believe what I got from Effie."

"What?" Haymitch asked.

"I made her realize what the games are like for district parents."

"Yes, she did," Effie said sadly.

Haymitch looked shocked and dare I say impress, "You realize you have done the impossible right?"

"That's what I thought!" Katniss said.

"So, how did you do it?" Haymitch asked.

"I made her imagine her own child going into the games," Katniss said.

"You have a child?" Haymitch asked turning to Effie having never known that.

"Yes, I have a son," She said.

"I set up a full scenario with him not scorching on any of the details." Katniss said.

"Well, good for you," Haymitch said.

"So, tomorrow we start training." Katniss said watching the numbers, "Any advice for that?"

"What are you good at again?" Haymitch asked.

"Archery, knives." Castro said pointing to the right person with the weapon.

"Stay away from them! Try to learn something new until individual demonstrations,"

"Alright," They both nodded.

"Other than that try to make allies," He added.

"Alright, we'll try." Katniss agreed but she knew that would be difficult for the both of them.

"Good," He said.

"And that's all?" Castro asked..

"Try and learn new skills, things that will help you survive," Haymitch said. "And don't ignore the survival kills. That's always a good way to get yourselves killed." Haymitch added.

"Got it," They both said.

The elevator arrived on their floor.

"Well you should consider bed," Effie said.

"Yeah, I guess we should probably at least try." Katniss agree with a yawn.

"Yeah," Castro agreed. They headed out onto the floor and to their rooms. "Goodnight Katniss," Castro called.

"Goodnight, Castro." She called back.

They both closed their doors and headed to bed reflecting on the day. They got a little bit of sleep on and off but not much at all.

Then Effie was waking them, "Time to get ready for training," She reminded them.

"Right," They groaned getting up.

"Great, so get dressed and head over for some breakfast." Effie said leaving the room.

"Right," Katniss groaned getting up.

She groggily got on her training suit and headed to the dining room finding Castro there and just as groggy. "Hey Castro," she said taking a seat next to him. He nodded at her taking an egg. She dished up her own food and didn't say any more.

"Awkward," Effie said. They both nodded. "Well, can't say I blame you," She said.

"I am so glad I set that scenario up." Katniss finally said.

"What do you mean?" Effie asked.

"The old Effie wouldn't understand one bit." Katniss said taking a bite.

"That's true," Effie said

"How long do we have till we have to go down for training?"

"About forty-five minutes," Effie said.

"Plenty of time, does the Capitol happen to have anything to make you more alert when you're tired?"

"Well, there is coffee," Effie said.

"What's that?" Katniss asked.

"It's a drink, but I'm not sure that would be best," Effie said.

"Why not?" Katniss asked.

"Well, it can be addicting," She said

"Yeah, that would probably be a bad idea then, we don't want any withdrawals in the arena."

"Yes, try...Hot Chocolate," Effie said.

"That could help?" Katniss asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes it could," Effie said.

"I guess it's worth a shot then." Katniss said and Effie ordered the both some.

"Then try it," Effie said. The mugs arrived and they both took a drink careful not to burn her tongue. Katniss downed hers in almost one gulp… maybe hot chocolate is addicting. Castro drank a majority of his own quickly as well. "Wow, you guys really like that don't you?" Effie asked. They both nodded refilling their mugs. "Maybe I was wrong, maybe you can get addicted to hot chocolate." Effie said watching them down it."

"Maybe, but it's refreshing," Castro said.

"Just, be careful," Effie warned.

"We will," Katniss said.

Katniss took another drink. Once that mug was done she ordered another one and this basically went on until they were called down to training.

"Katniss are you okay?" Castro asked.

"Yeah, that stuff's just VERY delicious."

"Don't get hooked." Castro said

"You drank as much as I did," she said.

"No, I had six cups, you had twenty-eight and yes, I did count."

"I did not," she said.

"Yes, you actually did." Effie said.

"Really?" She asked. They both nodded. "Oh, I didn't realize," She said.

"Yeah, hence why I asked if you're okay," Castro said awkwardly.

"I'm fine," She said excitedly.

"Let's just get to training." Castro sighed.

"Right," She said smiling which was really odd.

"Why are you smiling?" Castro asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm just excited," She said.

"To train?"

"Yeah, no...I don't know," She said.

He sighed as they got in the elevator. "Calm down please," He said.

"Alright, I'll try." Katniss promised but it did not look like that was going to happen. Castro sighed, as the elevator stopped in the lobby for Effie to get off. "Really, I'll try."

"Okay," Castro said though he doubted it. They arrived at the training floor. "Okay calm down now," Castro said. Katniss took a deep breath her hand twitching at about a mile a minute. Castro took her hand in his hoping to calm her down but that just caused the other one to shake the same way. "How can I calm you down?" Castro asked

"I am calm."

"No you're not," Castro said.

"Yes, I am." Katniss argued.

"No, you're not look at your hand," Castro said.

Katniss looked down at it, "That doesn't mean anything."

"You never shake," Castro said.

"You don't know that."

"You have never shaken by me, better statement?" He asked.

"Maybe you just need to pay better attention."

"Katniss you had too much hot chocolate," Castro sighed.

"Impossible, you can never have too much hot chocolate."

"That's what Haymitch says about alcohol…" Castro said.

"That's completely different."

"How?" Castro challenged.

"Alcohol is a highly addictive depressant drug that impairs judgment, amplifies aggression, and kills your liver. Hot chocolate is… delicious."

"And addicting," He said.

"No, Effie said it wasn't."

"Well you've proven her wrong," Castro said.

"I am not addicted." Katniss hissed defensively.

"Yes, you are," Castro said.

"No, I'm not." She said looking him right in the eye.

"Yes you are," He said.

"What makes you say I am?"

"The shaking, and hyperactivity," He said.

"That does not mean I'm addicted to it. Hot chocolate helps wake you up so a lot of it must have the side effect."

"Katniss look at yourself," Castro said.

"How?"

"You're acting crazy," He said.

"I am not!"

"Yes you are!" He said.

"No, I'm not!"

"You're trembling," he said.

"Meaning?"

"The shaking," he said.

"Meaning?" She asked again.

"You're not thinking clearly," Castro said.

"What does the shaking have to do with me not thinking clearly?"

"You can't think clearly while hyper," He said.

"Nonsense," Katniss shrugged off looking around.

Castro just sighed.

Atala started to explain the rules, tips, and different stations. "No fighting!" She finished before releasing them all.

Katniss immediately tried to go to the archery station. "Katniss what are you doing?" Castro asked. Katniss just motioned over there. "No! Remember what Haymitch said?"

Her lip started to tremble, "But... but."

"No, Katniss" Castro said shocked to see her begging.

"Why not?" Katniss whined like a two-year-old.

"Because we are hiding what we are good at,"

"So? They're bound to find out eventually anyways."

"Yeah, in the arena, and for Gamemakers when you have your solo scoring,"

"If they'll find out anyway, why does it matter when?"

"We don't want our opponents to know," Castro sighed.

"Fine," Katniss finally sighed but clearly did not like it.

"Stupid chocolate," Castro muttered.

"Do NOT talk bad about hot chocolate!"

"It's the chocolate's fault!"

"You have no proof of that!"

"You never act like this!" Castro said simply.

"Not that you've seen."

"You never have, I speak to Gale enough to know that he talks about you a lot,"

"Sheesh, so pushy, let's just find something else."

"Fine, spears?"

"That works!" Katniss said nodding excitedly.

"Let's go then, He sighed.

So they headed over to the spear station where the instructor showed them how to use them.

Katniss was decent. Castro struggled though. He was still hitting the target but just barely.

"Not your thing," Katniss giggled.

"That's okay," Castro said with a sigh but at Katniss, not the spears.

"Oh cheer up," She said.

"No, you cheer down."

"That does not make sense," She said.

"Just stop being so hyper."

"Why?" She asked.

"Because you're annoying and drawing too much attention from the other tributes."

"Oh! So?" She asked.

"So, you're probably just putting a target on your back."

"Well, we sort of did that already," Katniss said.

"Then you're just making it worse."

"Oh, come on how can I get you to not worry?" She asked.

"Not going to happen but you calming down and realizing where we are would help." Castro said rolling his eyes.

"Okay, okay I'll try," She said.

"Good," Castro said hoping she actually does but seeing it as unlikely.

"You should too though," She said.

"I am calm."

"No, you're worried," She said.

"Everyone but the Careers and you are." Castro reminded.

"I mean more than the others," She said.

"No, I am not." He said defensively.

"Yes you are," She said simply.

"How?"

"You're worrying over me," She said.

"I have two good reasons to."

"Oh?" She asked. Castro nodded, "Like?" She asked.

"That I love you."

That seemed to snap her out of it, she had known now, but something about hearing it stunned her. "Oh, right."

"Yeah," Castro sighed.

"Well, I guess that's a good reason." Katniss said awkwardly.

"Yeah, I think so," He said carefully.

Katniss sighed she could not imagine his situation being stuck in these games and wanting to win, but knowing you had to kill someone you loved to do so. It was a no win situation. "This must be really unfortunate for you; as in, more than normal."

"It's not exactly fun no," He said.

"I can't imagine what that must be like."

"Yeah, well no need to worry about it," He said.

She looked around for something else to go to for a distraction. "Fire starting?" She asked.

"Sure," Castro shrugged and they headed over there.

A/N: Good chapter? We think it was. Anyway all reviews are welcome! See you next chapter.