A/N: Behold the 7th chapter! That is all.

Quite a few hours into her shift but not at morning, Castro decided to wake Katniss up. "Katniss come on time to get up," he said. Katniss got up fairly easily and was relieved to find it still dark. "Your shift," he yawned.

"Right, now sleep." Katniss said getting up.

"Right," He sighed.

"I'm serious, Castro." Katniss said going off to her post.

"I know," He said. He climbed into the sleeping bag and tried to go to sleep. It took a while, but he managed it. Being in the arena, he actually did sleep through the night once he did.

Then Rue was shaking him awake. Castro was immediately to his feat and looked around frantically for a threat. "Calm down it's time to get up," She said.

"Sorry, I guess I'm just jumpy." Castro said lowering his knife.

"Yeah sorry," She said.

"Not your fault. That's just what happens when you know you've pissed the Careers off."

"Yeah I guess so," She said.

"So, are we still going to this plan?" Castro asked.

"Yes we are," Rue said.

He looked over at Katniss. She was over in a tree looking out. "Katniss, did you ever go back to sleep after your shift?" He asked quietly knowing that as a hunter she'll hear him.

"Yes I did. She just woke me first," She said.

"Okay, good."

"Yeah, now the plan," She said.

"Right, we need to get the pits set up first." Castro said.

"Yes so, green leafy branches,"

"You're already up there." Castro pointed out.

"How am I supposed to cut them down?" Castro threw a knife so it implanted into the trunk within her reach but obviously not hitting her. "Show off," She chuckled.

"Would you rather I had hit you with it?" Castro asked. "I was just giving you something to cut them down with."

"Thanks," She said.

"You're welcome." He said as she started to cut them down.

"Okay how far apart should they be?" Castro asked.

"Probably as far apart as we can get them," Rue answered.

"Well that would make sense,"

'We'd still have to start the first one still pretty far from the Cornucopia though." Katniss added.

"I should light that one," Castro said.

"No!" Katniss said refusing the idea.

"Yes, it's best," He said.

"Rue's faster, she'd stand a better chance at getting clear out of there before the Careers get to the fire."

"Yeah, but they want me more so if I get spotted that is even more of a distraction,"

"You could die though." Katniss reminded seriously.

"So could she," He said.

"She stands a lot better chances in this case though."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I just said what."

"What if they catch her?"

"That's a risk we'd be taking any way this plays out." Katniss pointed out.

"I suppose," he sighed .

"So you'll let Rue get the first fire?" Katniss double checked.

"Yes, I will," He said.

"Then it's agreed. So I'm going alone?" Katniss asked.

"I suppose," He sighed regretfully.

"That's fine. I guess the other role presents more of a threat."

"Exactly," Katniss said.

"Then it's agreed." Rue said.

"Yes," Castro said.

"Right," Katniss said and they got the first pit set up.

They set up the three pits carefully. "That should be perfect. We need a symbol in case one of us gets caught up." Katniss suggested.

"Mockingjays!" Rue said.

"Mockingjays? Are there even any here?" Katniss asked looking around.

"Yeah everywhere," Rue said. "Listen." She looked up and whistled the famous three note tune.

They whistled back. "Amazing," Katniss said and sung her own three note tune.

They whistled it back after a moment and Castro tried a different one for himself which was also returned. "Alright, so if you hear that then it means that we're okay and we'll be over when we can." Rue explained.

"Got it!" They said together.

"Where will we meet back?" Katniss asked.

"Here?" Castro asked.

"Alright, that works." Katniss agreed.

"Good ready?" Rue asked.

"Ready," Katniss said taking her bow in hand.

"Ready," Castro said and handed Rue a knife.

"So I wait for the first fire then a while longer?" Katniss asked.

"Yes," Castro said.

"Maybe even wait until the second one to actually start to release the apples." Rue added.

"Okay," she said nodding.

"Good luck." Katniss told them.

"Good luck," They both said.

Rue and Castro headed back to the first pit and Katniss headed to her hiding spot to wait for the signal.

Castro followed Rue on foot as she leapt through the trees. "You should move on to the second fire." Rue said to him. "You had promised Katniss."

"I will," He said.

"Good," Rue said continuing to leap from tree to tree towards the first pit.

"Be safe okay?" He asked.

"I will." Rue promised.

"Okay," he said heading the other way.

The fires were lit and Castro was heading to Rues fire. He had heard the explosion so he knew that Katniss had completed her job and whistled the signal waiting for the return. Rue's signal came back. He waited a little while later but Katniss' had never came, "Katniss!" He gasped he headed to get Rue first just in case he needed help.

He found he where they agreed to meet but Katniss was nowhere to be seen. "Oh no!" Rue said and a short while later a cannon went off only making it worse.

"Damn it," Castro said running toward the Career camp.

Luckily, just before he got there he found Katniss still alive, deaf and disoriented but alive. "Katniss," He said relieved.

"Is she okay?" Rue asked.

"I'm not sure." Castro said since she wasn't responding and repeated her name but was careful with how close they were to the pack.

"Help her out," Rue said.

Castro went over to Katniss who was still watching the Careers not noticing they were there. He tapped her on the shoulder. Katniss panicked at first and pointed the knife Castro gave her to cut down the branches at him but lowered it once she saw it was him.

"She can't hear," He whispered.

"Oh no, it must have been from the explosion." Rue whispered realizing that as well.

"Yeah, let's get her out of here," Castro said. He helped her to the feet and pointed into the woods. She nodded still dazed and barely standing so he ended up taking most of her weight as they got out of there.

Once they were deep into the woods he set her down gently. Katniss huffed hating being so useless. Castro sighed hoping she would be okay soon. Being a hunter himself he knew how much Katniss relies on her ears so that's what he was most worried about.

He found a large gap in the tree roots and pointed to it for her to see. It was big enough for all of them to sleep in. Katniss looked at it then nodded slowly.

He walked her over to it with Rue following. Katniss nodded a thank you as he laid her back down in the gap. He kissed her forehead and turned to the entry heading to take guard,

"Do you think her ears will get better?" Castro asked Rue.

"Yeah I think so," She said.

"I hope so. Her hearing is extremely important to her, especially here."

"Of course," Rue sighed.

"I wish there was anything that could be done to help that along. I'd do anything for her."

"Let her sleep," He looked over at her hoping she was. She was clearly trying to He ran his hand down her braid trying to coax her into it. She actually sort of enjoyed it, but hid it well. Because of that, she was able to fall asleep. "She really likes you," Rue whispered.

"She's… complicated," Castro sighed, "and why are you whispering? She's not going to hear you and we're far enough from anyone else to just talk normally."

"Right sorry, it was just in case," Rue said.

"It's okay."

"She does like you though," Rue said.

"Well, like I said, she's complicated."

"I can imagine," She said.

"You really think so?" He asked.

"Yeah, you can tell," Rue said.

"Well, I guess it doesn't matter though with where we are. I'll be dead in a few days if I have to do it myself."

"You really love her that much?" Rue asked.

"Yes I do. As I said, I'd do anything for her."

"Well, that is sweet and sad," Rue said.

Castro just nodded looking out into the woods. Rue sighed and laid out her sleeping bag. "Goodnight, Rue." Castro said.

"For what it's worth you two make a great couple," She yawned before rolling onto her side and going to sleep. Castro watched into the night keeping visual on all he could.

Nothing really happened even though Castro ended up keeping guard the whole night.

He was getting really tired when he heard one of the girls waking behind him. He looked back seeing that it was Katniss, "Katniss?" He asked cautiously.

She woke up completely wide eyed then a smile broke upon her face. "Castro?"

"Katniss can you hear me?"

"In my right ear," Katniss said then checked her left ear to be sure, "only my right ear."

"Well that's a bit better,"

"Definitely, and at least it stopped ringing but it still sucks. I'm so vulnerable from my left side."

"I know," He sighed.

"It is an improvement though."

"I bet," He yawned.

"Castro, did you get ANY sleep?"

"Well..." He trailed off yawning again.

"Castro, sleep," Katniss ordered.

"No, I'm alright," He said.

"You need sleep. I'm going to need someone alert to cover my left side anyways. Especially if the Careers come up since they now know the person who blew up the supplies is alive and the two of us will be there first guess."

"I suppose," He yawned.

"Just please, I'll wake you up if there's trouble."

"Okay," He sighed relenting.

He laid down, closed his eyes, and fell into an uneasy sleep. Katniss sighed and looked out into the woods trying to compensate for her deaf ear. She hated this. "Please tell me it will get better." Katniss mumbled to no one.

"It will," Rues voice yawned from behind.

"Well, I have one for now at least and that's better than earlier."

"Yes it is," She said glancing at Castro.

"Would you mind moving to this side?" Katniss asked patting the dirt on her left side.

"Sure," She said smiling. She went over and sat where directed, "The boy from 3 died. His cannon combined with you being nowhere to be scene and getting no signal return nearly gave us a heart attack but that's of course not your fault."

"Sorry still," Katniss sighed. "I did already know about the boy from 3, though. Cato had gone completely ballistic when he found the supplies blown up and eventually snapped the boy's neck."

"Poor boy," Rue said.

"Yeah, I guess he was bound to die anyways though. He couldn't have taken on the Careers when it came down to it."

"Not a chance," Rue said sadly.

"I guess you just have to remember where you are. Twenty-three die and one lives." Katniss sighed.

"I know," Rue said.

"Certainly won't be me." Katniss sighed.

"You sound like Castro,"

"Well, it's true."

"So neither of you will?" She asked.

"Castro will, despite what he says." Katniss corrected.

"Not likely,"

"What makes you say that?" Katniss asked.

"He is determined that you walk out of here," She said.

"He keeps saying that." Katniss sighed.

"How do you feel about him?"

"Well, I love him." Katniss said though a lot of it was for the cameras there was some that was real.

"Really?"

"Really," Katniss nodded.

"Well, he loves you too. You should have seen him last night."

"What did he say?" Katniss asked.

"He was determined he would die for you if that is what it took." She said.

"Yeah, he had been saying that a lot."

"He really does care,"

"That's a problem." Katniss said simply.

"Well, not much you can do," she said.

"Maybe it would be best if neither of us won. What about you? Do you want to win?"

"Sure, I do but I won't."

"I think you stand a chance." Katniss said. "You're a survivor."

"Maybe," Rue said smiling a little.

"I'm sure."

"Well, I like some odds." She said.

"Who do you have back home."

"My siblings, and parents," She said. "Three little sisters, two little brothers,"

"Big family," Katniss said.

"Not really, it's actually really common in District 11."

"It is?"

"Yeah, you need lot's over people to work the fields and orchards to get enough produce in to keep up with the Capitol's demands especially with how few people make it to adulthood having either starved or been killed by Peacekeepers. That's also why you start when you're seven from sunrise to sunset every day. Except during harvesting season. Then you go well into the night."

"And I thought we had it bad,"

"So, what's it like in 12 then?" Rue asked.

"It's filled with smoke. You start in the mines the day you become too old for the games, work from dusk to dawn."

"Well, I'd imagine the mines are a lot more dangerous than the fields and orchards are."

"Well yeah they have their dangers," Katniss hesitated before adding, "My father had actually died in a mine explosion when I was eleven."

"That's terrible," She said.

Katniss nodded slowly, "For a long while afterwards my mom had just completely shut down so I had to take control of taking care of her, my sister Prim, and myself. We were given a two-hundred coin compensation but that was gone quickly."

"I can only imagine must have been rough," She said

"It was but you almost get used to it then get willing to do absolutely anything to protect her and end up here."

"No luck for you huh?"

"Nope," Katniss sighed. "My name was in there 20 times. My best friend Gale's was in there 42 times but were either of our names drawn? No it was Prim whose name was in there ONCE."

"Wow that's horrid, Mine was in 9 times but the Reaping bowl's a lot fuller." Rue said remembering from seeing 12's Reapings on TV.

"Well you must be a big district," Katniss said.

"Extremely in both population and square footage. Most is obviously the fields though then you take those huge families and cram them into a house about the size of this gap we have here."

"That must be rough," She said.

"Well, we didn't really have anything to compare it to." Rue shrugged.

"I guess not," Katniss said.

"But yeah… it was rough."

"I can only imagine,"

"Guess it's rough all around though for different reasons. Except in the Capitol of course."

"Yeah," Katniss sighed.

"When you think about it though, it doesn't sound very fun in 1, 2, or 4 either." Rue added.

"No with all the training," Katniss said.

"At least in 12 you get to actually have a childhood." Rue noted.

"Sort of,"

"What do you mean?" Rue asked.

"Well, not all of us get a childhood."

"Well, I guess there's some people like you but don't most?" Rue asked.

"I suppose,"

The next day the group had gone hunting and Rue was gathering berries. She hadn't even notice Cato until he knocked her out.

Katniss and Castro came back worried. Since she was nowhere to be seen, Katniss tried whistling the tune hoping she got caught up somewhere else. There was no response, and they grew more worried. "Cato," They both concluded at the same time.

"Damn it," Castro muttered.

"We need to do something." Katniss said.

"Find her,"

"That might be exactly what he wants." Katniss said.

"We have no choice,"

"I know but we need to work out a plan to raise our odds since we're likely to be facing the entire remaining pack head on."

"Okay good point," he sighed.

"Quickly though, who knows how much time we have."

"Right," He said.

"Okay, so if I had to guess they probably have her at their camp in the Cornucopia." Katniss concluded.

"Likely," Castro sighed.

"We could try working it like they were a cave of wild dogs." Katniss suggested.

""We would need numbers for that,"

"That just might work." Castro said thinking it over, "Flushing them out, of course. Trapping them in would not help us."

"Right," Katniss said.

"But we'd need a different technique since they'll know we're trying to target them."

"Yeah and there I am drawing a blank,"

"We could make a torch and throw it in." Castro suggested.

"That could work,"

"Then let's hurry." He said and they started making one.

"Ready?" Katniss asked.

"I think so." He said finishing it up.

"Let's move then," She said heading towards the camp. Castro followed and the got a good spot just outside.

"Ready?" He asked holding the torch. Katniss nodded and he lit the torch then threw it in.

The careers swarmed out coughing. However, right before Cato left he made sure to slit Rue's throat with his sword knowing this must have been Katniss and Castro's doing.

Just as they ran out an arrow went through Marvels neck, "No," Katniss breathed once the rest were gone.

Rue reached her hand out to them weakly and Katniss put her nose and mouth in her jacket and rushed into get her out of there desite knowing that nothing could save her at this point. She ran out holding Rue close as she could.

Once far enough from the fire for safety, Katniss sat her down taking his hand. As the Careers ran through the other way Castro came over to them and took her other hand.

Rue smiled slightly before coughing up blood. "No, Rue please don't go," Katniss begged.

She weakly brought her hands together so that both their hands were between her own still smiling slightly. Katniss was surprised by this and briefly looked at Castro. Castro glanced at her as well before they both turned back to Rue 'Stay together,' She mouthed before coughing up more blood.

"Rue, I'm sorry we failed you," Castro said as the cannon went off.

Castro was surprised when Katniss let go and started to pick flowers.

"What are you doing?" He asked.

"Commemorating her," Katniss said and kept picking. "Hold on, don't let them take her yet."

"Okay," he said carefully. She picked a bunch then arranged them on and around Rue just as in canon. "We should go," Castro said sadly starring at her.

"One more thing." Katniss said taking Castro's hand out and putting some flowers in her hands.

Castro sighed staring down at her small form with the wound covered she might be sleeping. "Now we should go." Katniss said sadly.

"Right," Castro said holding out his hand. Katniss took it looking back at Rue one more time. She gave the district salute as they walked off.

"I can't believe she's gone." Katniss sighed.

"Me either,"

"So, what now?" She asked as they walked.

"We survive." He said.

"You survive." Katniss corrected.

"We," he said simply.

"For now but that still isn't an option."

"I will find a way," he said.

"It's impossible, Castro."

"Then it's you," he said.

"Why do you keep saying that?" She asked with a sigh.

"Because it's true," he said

"No it isn't and stop saying that."

"I won't," he said

"Well, I refuse to let it happen. I already let Rue die I'm not letting you die, too."

"I won't let you die either," He said stopping.

"Well one of us will have to." Katniss pointed out.

"I know that," he said.

"Why are you being so stubborn about this?"

"Because, more people need you back than me," He said.

"Castro that's not true."

"Yes it is," He said

"What about your brother or your parents? Gale will take care of mine."

"He would help mine as well, I think you would too," Castro said.

"Then what's the difference?"

"Gale and his family need you more and you may not realize it, but a lot of our home wants you back," He said.

"Gale and his family I'll buy but that's all."

"No, you're more loved at home than you think," He said.

"Certainly doesn't seem that way."

"Just because others could not help you; does not mean it's true,"

"No one seemed to care at all though."

"Did you not see the salute?"

"That still confuses me."

"They did not want you to go,"

"Why? I never even really talked to anyone but my family and Gale's besides to trade."

"I am not sure how to explain it," He said.

"They're probably just worried about Prim. Everyone loves Prim."

"And you," He added.

"No one likes me."

"You're kidding right?"

"Of course I'm not kidding."

"Well, then you're wrong,"

"You're just saying that because you think it could save my life."

"No I mean it," He said.

"There's no way."

"You just do not see it," He said.

"What is there to see?"

"I don't know how to explain it," He said.

Katniss sighed, "You are just... so stubborn."

"So are you," He said stopping and looking at her.

"I'm not that stubborn. I just like to get things done the best way."

"The best way is for you to get home,"

"That's only what you think." She said.

"No it's what I know!" He said.

"You can't possibly prove that."

"I will find a way." He said.

Katniss sighed, "You are just... so stubborn."

"So are you," He said stopping and looking at her.

"I'm not that stubborn. I just like to get things done the best way."

"Why are you so stubborn!?" He asked turning to her getting agitated.

"Well, someone has to be."

"How am I supposed to make sure you go home if you won't listen!?" He said stepping up to her.

"You're not! That's the point!"

"You are becoming kind of a pain," He said now nose to nose with her. Before she could say anything he just pulled her in and kissed her.

He was surprised when she kissed back wrapping her arms around his head. All the built up emotions in each of them that they had kept under the surface since the reaping seemed to poor into the kiss. Castro smiled into the kiss wrapping his arms around her waist. After a second he felt her tongue push against his lips. He was surprised but parted his lips letting it in.

After several heated moments, they broke apart panting though still close.

"I'm sorry I don't know where that came from," He said.

"I actually didn't mind." Katniss said.

"It just sort of came over me," He said.

"I'm glad it did." She smiled.

"Me too," He said.

In the Capital Effie and Haymitch smiled, this was working out well, they could tell by the money pouring into 12's account.

Back in the arena, a gift came down to them but despite the money it was raking in it wasn't from twelve. It was a piece of hearty bread filled with nuts and shaped like a crescent moon. "Bread from 11?" Castro asked.

"I'm not sure. Certainly not from 12 or the Capitol and that is the only other place that would make any sense."

"Why though?" He asked.

"Because of Rue most likely." Katniss said.

"We should thank them," He said.

Katniss chuckled, "Well, we're on national TV right now."

"Yeah, and a nation just saw us kiss, so I think we can thank people without being embarrassed," He said.

"Alright, thank you, District 11."

"Thank you," Castro said.

Katniss broke the loaf in half and gave one to Castro, "Happy Hunger Games."

"And may the odds be ever in your favor," He said.

"I'd still prefer them to be in yours." Katniss said taking a bite being reminded of the morning before the Reaping with Gale.

"We'll see," He sighed.

"Maybe it would be best if one of us just avoids the final two." Katniss said pulling out one of her arrows.

"What do you mean?" She didn't say anything as she raised the arrow the broad head tip pointed at herself. "Don't you dare," He said seizing her wrist.

"Let go!" She demanded dangerously.

"Put the arrow down," He said.

"Let go." She repeated only clutched the arrow harder.

"No!" He said simply.

"Castro, please, it's what I want."

"I want you to live through this," He said.

"Well, that's not going to happen. Now let go!"

"No!" Castro said taking out a knife and holding it to his own throat. "You do it and so do I!" Katniss finally dropped the arrow. "Thank you," He said.

"Put down the knife."

He dropped the knife, "Don't ever do that again." He said to her seriously.

"I won't if you don't" She said.

"I only did it because you did."

"Fair point," She sighed. He picked up the arrow and put it back in her quiver for her.

"Thank you," She said handing him his knife.

"You're welcome. Thank you, too." He said stowing the knife back in his belt.

"No trouble," She said.

"Let's just keep moving." He sighed.

"Right," She said. He took a bite of the bread and they walked farther into the woods.

"Now what?" He asked

"Shelter, the old one's in the direction the Careers went."

"So, new shelter," He sighed.

"Exactly," Katniss said looking around.

"Tree's?" He asked.

"That could work." She said.

"Best bet," He said.

"Just up in them."

"Yeah," He said.

"Alright," Katniss said putting her half in her pack and slinging her bow over her shoulder.

"You first," He said.

"Alright," She agreed and started climbing. He waited on the ground for her to be done. She settled on a high branch and looked down at him, "You coming?"

He nodded and headed up. He couldn't get quite as high as she was though and stopped under her.

"Perfect," Katniss said settling down.

"Yeah," He sighed.

"What wrong?" Katniss asked.

"Games almost over," He said. "Just you, me, Thresh, Cato, Clove, the boy from 10, and the girl from 5." He listed.

"Yeah we are going down," She said.

"Well, we certainly can't go up and the Gamemakers don't like us staying the same."

A short while later the anthem started to play and Marvel then Rue's faces were shone in the sky but when the seal reappeared the heard trumpets Claudius' voice ring out congratulating the remaining tributes and announcing the famous rule change allowing two victors from the same district to win. This is repeated incase missed.

Katniss' jaw dropped and she looked down at Castro trying to find something to say. "We can both win." He said.

"I know." She said with a smile.

"This fantastic news!" He said smiling and wanting to hug her. She came down to his branch and did just that.

He held her close smiling and enjoying her weight against him. "Then all we have left to worry about is the other tributes." She said.

"Yeah, we can do this." He said keeping her close.

A/N Hope you liked the chapter! Let us know what you thought. See you next time!