Thanks again for the reviews! This Chap is all Katniss POV apart from 1 little bit of Cato at the beginning! I thought I would do all of District 2 in Katniss POV, so like you're seeing it through her eyes for the first time, and then all of District 12 through Cato's POV, so you're seeing it through his eyes for the first time? Let me know what you think!
The interview was quite successful, we didn't give away too much, just said that we're definitely getting close and we're both getting on well. The real issue was when we were asked what the plan was after the Victory Tour. Cato just muttered something about how we'll make it work, but honestly we hadn't spoken about it.
We were quickly ushered out of the interview area, my hand clutched in Cato's, and onto the train.
"Right well, it will take about 2 and a half hours to get to District 2, Cato you can obviously go to your new home or whatever when we get there, Katniss they'll be a room in a hotel ready for you" Haymitch said as we all stood on the station platform.
There were cameras everywhere, catching a last glimpse of Panem's hottest couple in the Capitol.
"No, Katniss can come to my house with me" Cato insisted, Haymitch turned around and gave a look which showed he didn't really care either way.
We waved goodbye to the Capitol and headed inside into our train. I smirked at the mahogany furniture Effie used to get so angry about. We sat down in front of a TV, still no words said to each other.
As we watched a TV programme where they were literally just showing clips and pictures of us together and analysing our body language, I felt my eyes grow heavier.
CATO POV
I looked down from the screen to see Katniss asleep in the chair next to mine. I wish she was awake. There was so much to talk about. Like what's going to happen when the tour is over?
I sighed and picked her up, carrying her into the bedroom where I know she'll be more comfortable.
I was actually quite worried about Katniss seeing my District, I know that my mother will love her, my father will probably be sceptical, my friends will just probably flirt with her and I haven't even really thought about what my District will think of my actions in the arena.
Enobaria said that they'd turned their back on me and supported Katniss.
I led down next to Katniss on the bed and felt my own eyes starting to shut.
KATNISS POV
"Wake up! You two better not be naked in there! You can't even keep your hands off each other for 2 and a half hours!" I awoke to Haymitch's voice from behind the door, slowly realising I was in a bedroom and not the chair I remember falling asleep in.
"We're awake! Jeez" I shouted back, sitting up. I hated falling asleep for only 2 hours, I've woken up feeling groggy and still extremely tired.
"Hey, Cato, I think we're here" I started shaking him and could tell he too felt tired still.
"Urgh" he groaned rubbing his eyes "Feels like I've only been asleep for about 5 minutes"
I laughed and went into the en suite, my hair was still all curly but my dress had become creased from being asleep. I didn't really mind, it's nearly 2am surely nobody will be around!
I felt the train come to a halt and Cato and I emerged from the bedroom to the small corridor, waiting for the doors to open, Haymitch was behind us, as was Enobaria.
"Are you ready for this?" Haymitch smirked
"Ready for what?" I replied, but as I finished my question the doors opened and I could hear the cheering.
What greeted me was a platform swarming with people, nowhere near as plush as the Capitol, but still 100x better than District 12. There was fireworks being set off, and people were screaming Cato's name.
I turned to Cato who looked surprisingly shocked as well, was this not what he was expecting?
Peacekeepers cleared a pathway through the crowd for us to get into a car. As we sat down I got a real look at District 2, there wasn't as many sky scrapers as the Capitol, but there were 2 large ones, with some smaller buildings surrounding it, and then on the outskirts were lots of big houses, most had swimming pools round the back.
"That's Victor's Village" Cato said, pointing to an area away from the main city, it was along a long road and in some hills. From this distance you could see a few lights but that was about it.
About 20 minutes later we were heading up the long road, at the end of it there was a huge golden gate with a security guard sat outside of it.
The gate's opened and the car headed inside, the houses here were unreal, I'd never seen such large, polished houses.
"This is your house, sir" The driver said, pulling into one of the obscenely gorgeous complex's. I got out of the car and Cato smiled and took my hand.
Suddenly two blonde boys practically ran out of the house and jumped on Cato!
"Knew you could do it bro!" one of them shouted, they'd both quite violently pinned him to the ground, but all three were smiling. Cato sat up and picked both of them up, one over each shoulder and said
"Come on Katniss" I followed, and the two boys introduced themselves as Benji and Tatum, Benji was 16, Tatum was 14.
As we walked inside I was stunned by the décor, now this really was like being back in the Capitol! A beautiful blonde woman ran towards Cato, as he practically dropped his brothers on the floor they ran into a tight embrace, I presumed this was his mother.
"Oh, Cato I've missed you" she said as they released from their embrace, she turned to me and smiled "You must be Katniss"
"Hi" I smiled, she then brought me into a hug, which shocked me, was this how they greeted each other in District 2?
"You're good for him" she whispered in my ear, and then released me too.
"Where's Dad?" Cato asked, his mother and his brother's all shifted uncomfortably
"He's asleep darling" his Mum smiled "You must be tired, your room is on the top floor"
We headed up two flights of stairs into a massive room with a large bed in the centre.
"Are you okay?" I asked
"Yeah just tired" he said bluntly, stripping down to his boxers and climbing into bed, it only took a matter of seconds until he was snoring.
I looked out of the floor length window to the city, the largest building had 'Congratulations Cato and Katniss' written across it in huge lights. It was truly insane the reception we had received, I see now why the careers take it so seriously.
I slipped off my dress and climbed into bed next to Cato, laying on his chest I could feel his erratic breathing, he was worried about his Father I could tell. I guess we could just face our problems in the morning.
I woke up at 8am, Cato was no longer beside me. I wondered if my belongings had been delivered yet, not wanting to put on the dress I'd been wearing last night, I put Cato's black shirt on and walked downstairs to the second floor where everyone else's bedrooms were.
I could hear grunting coming from one of the rooms and couldn't help but go and look, I peered around the door and saw Cato's brother Benji attacking a punching bag so furiously his knuckles were bleeding.
"Stop!" I said running in, he turned around still in full fight mode and before I knew it I hit the floor and my nose was throbbing in pain.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to it's just you snuck up on me and I'm so so sorry!" Benji gushed as he bent down beside me
"It's fine" I said standing back up "I've been through a lot worse, trust me"
Laughing I saw Benji was still looking concerned
"Honestly I'm fine, I'm a victor remember"
"Okay" he smiled
"You should seriously stop though, your hands are bleeding"
"Oh I can't, I'm on a strict regime, just because we've been let out of the academy for Cato's return doesn't mean we can slack" he said, getting back up and ready to continue
"Well, I'm sure they won't notice, it's not like they're here"
"Yeah, my Dad is, he runs the academy! He's got me and Tatum on the strictest training schedule if we're both gonna be picked as volunteers at 18"
"Oh" was all I could say "Well, I'll leave you to it"
Feeling almost sick at the way Cato's father was treating his brothers I started realising what he must have gone through growing up. I walked downstairs again to the ground floor and saw my bags in the hallway. I looked into the lounge and saw Cato sat there with 3 other boys.
"I can't believe you did it bro, you won the fucking games!" one of them said slapping Cato on the back
"Yeah and you won it with that hot piece of ass" another one winked
"Yeah what's going on there, you nailing her or what?" the first one asked
"Hey shut up!" Cato almost shouted "Don't talk about her that way, she's a Victor just like me and she could probably kick your ass'"
I smiled biting my lip as I grabbed one of my bags and carried it upstairs. I threw on some black trousers and a purple top. As I headed back downstairs for a second time I bumped into a man in the corridor.
He had short grey hair, a tired looking face but was very muscly. This must be Cato's father.
"Congratulations on your Victory" he said in a booming voice
"Thank you" I replied, and walked past him as quickly as possible, not wanting to spend any more time near him.
Downstairs again I walked into the lounge where Cato was with his friends.
"Morning" I smiled, walking in
"Morning" Cato replied, I sat down next to him and he immediately pulled me close to him and took my hand, as if he was being protective.
"Hey" one of his friends said "Is that blood on your nose?"
"Oh yeah, your brother kind of accidently punched me in the face" I laughed
"He did what?" Cato nearly shouted
"Cato, relax it was an accident" But before I could calm him down he was stalking up the stairs
"Cato, stop!" I shouted as he ran into his brother's room. He picked his brother up and slammed him on the floor.
"You do not touch her Benji!" He shouted as he twisted Benji's arm around "I'M a Victor this is MY Victor's house, you need to remember your place" he spat and dropped his arm
"Cato it was a mistake, he didn't mean to do it" I said scowling at him
"Trust me, I'm doing him a favour" Cato whispered as he ushered me out of the room, as we left Cato's father walked into the room and started shouting at Benji for being weak and not fighting back.
This house, which seemed so perfect on the surface was actually just filled with broken people, I have a feeling the District is the same. In District 12 we might not have many luxuries, but at least we have our sanity.
"Our Car's here" Cato said to me "Guys we're gonna have to take off!"
He said goodbye to his friends and we both got into the car.
"Why did you do that Cato?" I asked, still angry
"Because, chances are he's going to be picked for the games when he turns 18, I want him to be prepared for that, prepared for what it's like in there because the Academy doesn't train you for the brutality of people"
I stared at the floor and took his hand
"I understand" I smiled, because I did, but this place, it freaked me out, everything seems so perfect but it's not.
We arrived in the city centre and crowds had formed, again peacekeepers had formed a pathway for us to get inside one of the buildings.
When we arrived inside I was so relieved to see Haymitch and Cinna!
"Right, you've got lunch with the Mayor and his family and then your speech straight after so hurry up and get ready" Haymitch said, we were ushered into some make-shift dressing rooms and I put on the outfit Cinna had prepared for me.
It was a black skin tight strappy jumpsuit, with some black heels. My hair was put into a classy up do with some curly strands of hair hanging down. Make-up wise, I had smoky eyes as usual.
"You know, if my mother saw me dressed like this…" I laughed to Cinna
"Well she won't will she, at least not for another 2 days" he winked
I sighed and headed out into the corridor, waiting for Cinna to finish off with Cato.
"Right have you thought about what you're going to say for your speech?" Haymitch asked me
"Err, stuff about being so proud to honour my district and crap like that?" I replied
"Pretty much, just keep to the script stuff sweetheart" he laughed "Oh and watch out for the Mayor's son and daughter, they're… Just watch out and play up your relationship"
I nodded and Cato emerged from the dressing room with Cinna, wearing black trousers and a white shirt with the top couple of buttons undone. Simple but effective.
We got into the elevator and headed to the 5th floor where the dining room is. The doors opened to reveal the Mayor, his wife and their two children.
"Cato, what a pleasure to finally meet you" The Mayor said, shaking his hand "You've brought great honour to this District and your family, congratulations. And Katniss, what a lovely surprise you were this year, your District must be very happy"
"Thank you Mayor" I smiled
"Hello" His wife said, air kissing both my cheeks, something I became accustomed to in the Capitol
"Nice to meet you" The girl smiled, doing the same air kissing gesture
"You look positively divine this afternoon" The boy said, taking my hand and kissing it. I looked to Cato in panic but he was too busy dodging kisses from the girl.
"These are my children, Greig and Sallie" the Mayor smiled, Cato and I just stared at each other in disbelief. "Please, take a seat"
We all sat down to lunch, the food was delicious but during the meal Greig was staring at me the entire time, I felt so uncomfortable. Cato and I were sat at opposite ends of the large table, so how I was supposed to play up our relationship I didn't know.
"So, Katniss" Greig said leering at me "Do tell me, you and this… oaf, is it real or just for the cameras?"
"It's very real" I smiled curtly
"Surely it won't work when you go back to your Disctrict? He's not exactly going to want to slum it in 12" Greig laughed "I suppose you could move to the Capitol, now you have the money, I've always wanted to live there"
"No 12 is fine for me" I bluntly replied
Finishing off dessert, I've never been happier to leave a room before in my life, I took Cato's hand almost immediately. I looked at Sallie, she was pretty gorgeous, her glossy red hair was curled and put to one side and she was wearing a gold dress which was pretty much see through.
I squeezed Cato's hand and we headed outside where a crowd consisting of the entire District awaited us.
The Mayor stepped forward first
"Welcome, welcome, it's always such a special occasion when a member of our own District wins the Hunger Games. Cato has made us all very proud, and we are delighted that he can share such a momentous victory with the lovely Katniss. Ladies and Gentlemen, without further ado, I give you the Victors of the 74th Annual Hunger Games!"
The crowd started to go crazy, Cato and I stepped forward to the microphone as he began his speech I looked out into the crowd. People screaming, reaching their arms out trying to touch us, but then I caught sight of a family, stood at the side, they were not smiling or screaming they were crying.
There was a Mother and a Father and a little girl, they all had dark hair and the daughter had freckles that oddly reminded me of Clove… Clove. This was her family. My breathing suddenly became heavier as I looked at the mourning family, they were probably thinking 'Why her? She doesn't deserve this' Then I thought of Cato, if he saw them he was sure to crack. His District partner, she did deserve to be here more than me, she trained for this moment her entire life, I didn't even want it.
"Erm, Katniss?" I was broken out of my thoughts by Cato looking at me "Katniss, your speech?"
"Oh" I'd momentarily forgotten that I had to give a speech "Sorry"
I stepped up to the microphone and began my speech
"It's such a great honour to be able to be here today as a proud Victor. Thank you to all of you who supported me throughout the games, I can't begin to tell you how proud I am to bring honour to my District. Remember to keep on training hard because it could be you picked for next year's 75th Annual Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favour" I finished off with a smile. It sickened me having to say that bullshit but if it kept me out of being sold to the highest bidder, including Greig the Mayor's son, then I would say it 100 times more.
The crowd were literally going wild now, but all I could see were the sad faces of Cloves family.
The Mayor stepped back up
"Thank you so much for your inspirational words, Cato and Katniss will be paying one last visit to the Academy before leaving for District 4. We've loved having you here, and look forward to your return home Cato."
With that we all went back inside the building.
"We're going to the Academy?" I asked Cato
"Yeah, get a photo with the chief trainer, my Dad, and meet next year's hopefuls, every Victor does it" Cato said, this was all so normal to him yet so alien to me.
I couldn't help but feel this trip was putting a strain on whatever our relationship was. Back in the Capitol, we were the same, the only two people in the world who knew exactly how each other felt. But now, everything's so different, I feel like an imposter next to him here.
Ushered back into the car we were driven to another building. This one wasn't appealing, it was drab and grey everything about it made me want to not go inside. There wasn't even a sign stating what the building was, just a large black door.
Inside the smell took me back to the Capitol, it reminded me of exactly how the training room smelt there. In fact, the colours were the same as well.
"Is this place-" I began
"Modelled on the Capitol's training room? Yeah" Cato interrupted me "The Capitol actually gave it to us as a gift a few years back"
"Oh, I see" A gift? From the Capitol? If that isn't blatant favouritism then I don't know what is.
Inside the main room there were two boys and two girls stood in a line waiting for our arrival.
"Hi, I'm Chan" A boy with brown hair stepped forward and held out his hand for Cato and I to shake
"I'm Sandrah" The blonde girl stood next to him said
"I'm Ben" The boy with dark hair said
"I'm Jayne" The last girl said
"So, what do you think Cato? Another Victory on our hands next year?" The booming voice of Cato's Father appeared from behind us, we both turned around to see him walking towards us.
"Yeah, pretty good" Cato shrugged
"Ah, you're lying. They're useless, not one of them have proven to me that they have what it takes to be a Victor, not like you did." His Dad barked "So, care to explain to me now why you didn't kill her?"
What did he just say? My face twisted into that of utter shock.
"I'm stood right here you know" I butted in, but they both ignored me
"I didn't want to" Cato replied
"Why not?" His Dad barked back immediately
"Because why should I? Why should anyone go in there and kill? What for?" Cato shouted back
"To bring honour and pr-" His father started
"To bring honour and pride to our District, I know, I've heard it all before but the truth is it's just bullshit Dad!" Cato shouted, Haymitch appeared in the doorway listening in
"God, you're starting to sound like your Mother" his Dad laughed
"So what if I am, did you ever think she might be right? Look at these kids Dad, they've done nothing with their lives except train for this, this shitty lifestyle you force them to have and for what, so you can send them to the slaughter next year?" Cato was becoming increasingly angry, his face was red and his muscles were bulging, I turned to look at the 4 wannabe-tributes stood behind me, they too were becoming scared.
Cato turned and stalked towards one of the stations, grabbed a spear and threw it at one of the dummies, taking its head clear off.
"I hate this place!" he practically screamed
"Okay, okay, let's all just calm down for a second" Haymitch said, walking in "You, you officially win the award for pushiest parent of the year" he pointed at Cato's Father "And you, you officially win the award for dramatic speeches combined with spear throwing" he pointed at Cato "But before somebody actually does lose a head, or a limb, let's get this photo over and done with so I can get the hell out of this place"
We all just stared at each other for a moment before the 4 wannabee's took their places either side of Cato and I, and his Father stood in between us, Haymitch held up the camera
"Everybody say cheese!" and the camera flashed, nobody said cheese "Right lets go we've got a train to catch"
With that I practically sprinted out of the building with Haymitch, Cato walked behind us. In the car we still didn't speak.
"So you lived there?" I broke the silence
"Since I was 12" Cato replied "I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you"
"You didn't scare me" he did scare me
"This whole trip has been a disaster" he sighed "I don't even feel like I belong in that place anymore, I just feel like, like a…"
"An imposter?" I asked
"Yeah, exactly that"
"That's how I felt the entire time" I smiled
"Really?" he smiled back at me, taking my hand "What're we gonna do Katniss?"
"What do you mean?"
"After the tour, what're we going to do?"
"I don't know. I'll come and visit you, and you can come and visit me! And we can phone each other, we won't lose touch Cato. Promise me" I don't know why but the thought of life without him now just upset me.
"I promise, Katniss" he leaned towards me and our lips touched.
And for one moment, I didn't care what happened tomorrow, or in 2 days when the tour is over I didn't care about anything because we have right now. Right now I don't want to be anywhere else.
Hope you guys liked it! I know there wasn't much Cato/Katniss in this Chap but I promise there will be a lot more in the next one :D
Bloodredfirefly: I know there's grammar issues but when I started writing this it was literally just because I couldn't get the idea of Kato out of my mind! I didn't actually plan on putting it on here! But thank you so much for your reviews! :)
geranium08: Thanks for all your reviews! *spoilers* I'm still thinking about what to do when the tour's over with regards to Cato moving etc. But without giving too much away I have a good idea that I might go for which will stir things up a bit ;)
And thank you so so so much everyone else for your reviews! I'm moving out tomorrow butttt I'll hopefully get the next chapter up on Sunday? Ciao for now! :D xx