Saying Goodbye

Katniss POV

I couldn't believe it, I just couldn't! Prim's name got pulled! There was no way I could let my sister play the games; she's too innocent, she wouldn't survive the initial blood bath! Granted, I didn't stand much of a chance either, especially with the Careers, but I'd fight like hell to make it back to Primrose!

But, but my bad luck did not end there. Nope. Peeta had to step up and volunteer for Jack! Sure, I didn't want Jack to go to the Games either, we've become friends, not close friends or anything, but I could tolerate him hanging around. But Peeta, well Peeta was just not made for the Games! I owe him my life, how the hell was I supposed to pay him back while fighting to get back home to Prim?! What a nice sick twist fate had thrown my way!

Effie Trinket was pushing me and Peeta off the stage to go to our waiting rooms. This was where we would say our goodbyes to family and friends. Final goodbyes most likely. Chances were, the only way we would return was in a wooden box. Did I like that? Hell no! I'm not stupid, death is not something I, or anyone I know, would welcome with open arms. Was I ok with it? Yes, yes I was. Why, you may be asking? Simple. It's better me than my sister. Prim was destined for great things, and by me taking her place, she would get the chance to become the great healer I knew she was capable of becoming. I was destined to protect Prim, and with my sacrifice, she would grow into an amazing healer and save hundreds if not thousands of people; and if I was able to undermine Snow at the same time…well that just makes it a win-win situation.

"Katniss! You can't go!" Prim crashed into me as I wrapped my arms around her. I knew I didn't have much time and pulled myself together. I could not lose it in front of her. I had to be brave for her. Kneeling on the ground, I looked into my little sisters eyes.

"Listen to me, Prim. I need you to be strong for me ok?" Prim nodded slowly. I wiped away a tear that was sliding down her cheek. "Gale will be bringing game for you, he will help you." I wiped another tear away, I wanted, no – needed, her to be strong. "You keep helping mom with healing, alright?" She closed her eyes and nodded. "Let me hear you say it, Little Duck."

She gave a weak smile at the sound of her nickname before putting her brave face back on. "I will Katniss, but, you have to promise to do whatever it takes to win and come back home to me…alive."

The serious tone of her voice shocked me. I had only heard her use this tone a handful of times and it was always when she was in healer mood and making sure the patients would follow orders. "Don't worry, Prim. When have I ever let you down?"

A Peacekeeper barged in. "Let's go, time's up."

"Promise me, Katniss!" Prim demanded as the Peacekeeper led her away, the door slamming shut. I sat back down, leaning against the wall. I didn't have the heart to make a promise I wasn't sure I could keep. Let's face it, if, and that's a big if, I survived the initial blood bath, the Careers would have me, and all other survivors, hunted down in a day or two. This is what they were bred for. They lived for the Games, they lived to kill and claim the glory and riches of being a Victor. There was just no defeating the Careers, and with Haymitch being the drunk that he was, I doubt that he will be sobered long enough to let me or Peeta know how he managed to get out of alive. How he had defeated the Careers. Now that is some information that I could definitely use!

The door slowly creaked open and I was surprised to see Mr. Mellark standing there with a small bag. I could tell by his face that he was having conflicted feelings. I couldn't blame him. His son was entering the Hunger Games, and in order for me to return, his son would have to die. Whether Peeta made it back alive or not, I was one of the reasons his son's life was in danger to begin with. I was the potential predator to the potential prey, Peeta. Not that I could ever bring myself to kill him, if I could chance a win out of this, hopefully someone else would kill Peeta, I don't believe I could bring myself to kill the blonde haired, blue eyed boy that had once save my life and by saving my life, he had saved Prim's.

"Katniss," he said calmly, "I will ma-"

"He's coming home," I interrupt in a sudden decision making moment.

He gave me a questioning look. "Peeta." I clarified. "He will make it home, I will make sure of it."

I was surprised to see Mr. Mellark shaking his head. At a time like this, I would imagine that a parent would be grateful that another was willing to protect their child during the Games to make sure they made it home. "Listen to me, Katniss," he approached me. "My boy can handle himself, you don't worry about him. You concentrate on yourself out there. Peeta has already made up his mind; don't be so foolish to do the same. You have survived this long pretty much on your own, you are smarter than that." I just stared at him. What exactly did he mean about Peeta already making up his mind? "Take these cookies," Mr. Mellark handed me the bag of cookies, bringing me out of my thoughts. The smell of freshly bake cookies had to be the best smell in the world. My stomach gave a low rumble in reply to smell. "I made them myself this morning. I will make sure that your family gets bread. Good luck to you, Katniss." With a weak smile he left.

"Thank you," I whispered, taking a small bite out of one of the cookies before hiding them away.

I looked up startled as the door flew open. "Katniss!" Kim greeted with a smile, Jack coming in right behind her, quickly closing the door.

"Hey guys, you to seem….happy." Obviously I have missed something. This was anything but a happy day, at least for me.

Jack looked around before handing me a pin with a mockingjay on it. "What is this for?" I asked, running a finger over the cool bronze surface.

Jack smirked, "For you to wear. I've heard that you can wear something from your district as token."

Kim shared a smile with Jack before receiving a nod. "We have a plan, Kat." Kim smiled, taking the pin and putting it on my dress, before pulling me into a hug. Now, me, most defiantly not a hugger, however, considering the circumstances, I let it slid. This might be one of the last hugs I ever receive, depending on this so called planned and how well that worked out in the arena.

"What are you talking about?" I asked skeptically. They haven't lived here long enough to really know anything the Hunger Games.

"You don't like the way President Snow runs Panem, well neither do we." Jack explained. "We've been working on a plan, and you and Peeta are the perfect two to make sure it all gets running correctly."

I shook my head. "First, you really have to watch what you say, there are ears and eyes everywhere, never assume you are safe from Snow." If there was one thing I have learned from my 16 years, it was when someone disappeared unexplained; it was most likely Snow's doing. Ironically, all the people that just happened to disappear were always people who were against Snow and the Capital. Doesn't take a genius to put that together. "Second, neither of you know Peeta or the type of man he is. Have you even spoken with him about this?" Peeta had saved my life, there was no way I was going to allow him to be used as a pawn, especially if he didn't even know about it! "And lastly, how could have possibly have had enough time to devise a plan, especially without having hardly any to no knowledge of the ways of Panem, or more importantly, the Capital?" There was no way that they could have made a working plan without known the ins and outs of Panem and the Capital! They haven't been here long enough. Hell, I haven't even been around long enough to have the full information needed to devise such a plan.

Jack's face turned serious. "Peeta saved me from having to go to the Games. I owe him a safe return, and after speaking with Gale while waiting to speak with you guys, we found the best plan." I shook my head, they just came up with this plan no more than 5 minutes ago?! Granted Gale knew a lot about Panem, but he had never left District 12. He is a great hunter and knows a lot about survival, but he doesn't have the knowledge needed to take down Snow and his Peacekeepers.

"Come on, Kat," Kim cut in. "You trust us don't you?" Kim paused, continuing after realizing I was not going to answer. "Scratch that, even if you don't trust us, what else have you got to lose?"

Well, she did have a point there, no matter how much I'd hate to admit it. There really wasn't anything I could lose. I was already entering a very deadly game that was taking everything away from me and I haven't even stepped foot into the arena yet!

"Your part is simple," Jack said, speaking fast as the door started to open. He did something I most defiantly was not expecting, he hugged me close. "Make sure you both make it home, no matter what. We'll take care of the rest here." He whispered into my ear as the Peacekeeper started forcing them away.

There was a loud scuffle outside as Gale forced his way in before I could even process everything that Jack and Kim had said. "Catnip!" Gale ran up to me, looking me in the eye. "Remember one thing, they have to have a Victor." Gale looked back as a Peacekeeper grabbed him and started pulling him away. "You are a hunter, Katniss, a hunter. You, out of all of us, can do this." Another Peacekeeper came and grabbed the other side of Gale, dragging him out. "Don't forget, Catnip! Don't forget!"

And with that, I was left alone, waiting to be taken to the train. I was about to begin a game where I literally would have to fight and kill in order to not only win, but to survive, and the only thoughts going through my head were the words of Jack and the words of Gale. Make sure you both make it home. Yeah, cause that was going to be easy, seeing how there could only be one victor. They have to a Victor. Well, thanks for stating the obvious there, Gale. That was the problem though, they had to have a victor, not victors. You're a hunter. That I am, but hunting humans, not the same as hunting game. Ironically, same basics for survival, given the circumstance. No matter what. That was the kicker, how the hell was I going to get us both home? This Game just got more complicated.

AN: Please review