Hey Everyone!

Thanks for the reviews! You guys are so sweet! Let's see where this next chapter takes us!

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to take credit for coming up with something and mind-boggling and amazing as The Hunger Games, I didn't, so all rights go to Suzanne Collins!

Heh... I just figured out how to do that. I'm so smart. ;P

CHAPTER 1

I wake up and the sunlight is streaming through my window. I get dressed and put on my father's old hunting jacket. Yes, it has survived the war. I put it on and trudge downstairs to make myself breakfast then head outside to water the Primrose bushes Peeta had planted. I would make sure they flourish so nobody will be able to forget the precious, brave, beautiful girl named after them.

As I step outside I get a pang in my chest as I see the innocent light yellow blossoms growing and living while my sister, wasn't. A sob breaks out, starting from my throat and spreading to my chest. She's gone, she's really gone. Is all I think about when I sink to my knees. I hear footsteps behind me. They stop a few feet away. I turn to see Peeta, his hands dusty with white flour. He's been baking again.

"Hey." I say with a sniffle. I haven't seen him much since that last time he planted the trees.

"Hey." He replies still standing rigidly. "I heard you crying. Wanted to make sure you were alright." He said softly. His blue eyes are wary, but calm, concerned, and in control.

"I am, thanks. I just miss her." Peeta nods in understanding and I swallow and stand getting the hose attached to my house. I start watching the water spray, falling on the little trees, creating little diamonds on the leaves.

"So you're baking again." I say to make conversation. Things aren't as bad as they were, between us, but they were far from what they used to be.

"Yeah. I figured that once the District is all cleaned up, I would try to rebuild my parent's bakery. It was in the village. They served cookies, and cakes, and bread. Real or not real?" He asks watching me.

"Real. You used to make frosted flowers on the cakes and cookies." I replied with a small smile.

"Yeah. It was the only thing I was good for." He replied.

"No, you were really good at keeping me alive in the Games, and out of trouble when we got back from them." I said softly, caught up in my thoughts. I laughed a little. "You were good at chasing the nightmares away too..." I let my voice trail off, realizing what I had just said. I flushed in embarrassment.

"You used to wake up screaming on the train and in the training center. I would come and wake you up and check on you?" He sort of asked.

"Yeah. I would let you into my bed every night and you would hold me until I fell asleep again. I'm almost never able to sleep alone without the nightmares hitting." I say going with the truth. Maybe it would remind him about better times.

"And then when we slept together you tried to kill me in my sleep. Real or not real?" He asked, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Not real. I never tried to kill you except in the first Games when I thought you were with the Careers trying to come after me. But, you saved me from Cato, and he cut your leg. After we became allies I tried my hardest to keep you alive." I admitted.

"You almost killed me at the end when they said only one of us could live. Isn't that right?"

"I did. But I threw my weapon down after you did. I was thinking only of myself, actually thinking you were going to stab me with your knife. But you threw it in the lake instead. I felt really bad afterwards. And I pulled out the berries, hoping to keep both of us alive." I said, defending myself.

"That year Haymitch chose you to sponsor. Real or not real?"

"Real. But the next year, in the Quarter Quell, I tried to keep you alive. I wanted you to be Victor even though I knew I wouldn't make it back alive, but that kind of backfired." I say wincing at the memories.

"Yeah. But you told me in the Capitol, during the rebellion, that we take care of each other, it's what we do." Peeta said, quoting me.

"Yeah, and we still do." I tell him looking into his deep blue eyes. No matter what has happened, nothing, not even the tracker-jacker venom, can make them completely lose their depth and sincerity. Those beautiful blue eyes. I sigh to myself looking down at my hands. Will we ever be friends again?

"I know, Katniss." I turn to look up at him. His eyes are steady and intent on mine.

"Is that why you stopped me from taking the nightlock pill?" I ask him. I was always wondering what made him put his hand there and tell me 'I can't'. A confused look passed over his face. Conflicting emotions ran over it. I watched in silence. Finally, he replied.

"I don't know. All I know is that your words really stuck with me. In the Capitol, when I asked you if you were still trying to protect me, and you replied, 'Yes', well, I wouldn't forget something like that. Not easily. And when you said that, I knew I had to protect you too. With us, it isn't just a one way thing. It has to go both ways or it just doesn't work." His speech brought tears to my eyes.

"Thanks. For that, for stopping me." I whispered.

"You're welcome." I stepped closer to him and wrapped my arms gently around his neck. I hope he remembered when I did the exact same thing before we parted ways in the Capitol. I hoped he took this gesture as, I don't want to hurt you. I never did. And I'm here for you. Just like in the Captiol he hesitated but wrapped his arms around my waist. They were warm and strong. Still not as steady as they used to be, but over time, I hoped they would get there.

I stepped back and smiled at him keeping all my emotions on my face. I wanted him to trust me and see that I was a friend. Not an enemy, or even just an ally. Nothing else, but a friend.

I know they're short. But we're still setting the stage. I wanted you to see where Peeta and Katniss's relationship stand right now.

Also, for me, two chapters in two days! That's a new record. Haha!

-Mx2Blue326