First chapter- Thank god finally. I meshed 5 chapters into one, kinda boring for now, but I assure you, Blaine the rest will be having appearances in the next chapter, and some scenes including Sue yelling at a lot of people; the invitation given by the two tributes for mentoring; Then there eating, fighting, further discussion on the book, morals and something feels wrong and it's for Kurt, and later Blaine, to find out.

I didn't write the chapter 3 onwards yet, I wrote down the chapters with the whole parade, interview, the individual session and the arena design(LOVE IT.), Warblers' banter.

I know my plot lines covered A LOT of things. Oh, an early warning- there's Warbler!rebels coming up in the next chapter, might as well tell you I had already asked permission for including them in here.

Time for disclaimers: I do not own Glee or Hunger Games.

P.S. the words bolded in the story was from the book Hunger Games itself. So I disclaim those words too.

Kurt gave one last sweeping glance to his room before walking up the stairs towards the living room to find his father.

It's still early for the reaping but Kurt had promised Rachel-his best friend from the richer part of District 3- he'll fetch her before going to the esplanade, so he had to leave home much earlier ,since she lived at the other end of district 3.

Kurt looked around the living room for his father but he only heard sounds coming from the kitchen. Kurt's hoping it's only his Dad but not Carole OR Finn or both… or EVERYONE really.

Everything seemed so tense around the house ever since he announced that he would drop out of high school and volunteer for the Hunger Games this year, right smack in the middle of his seventeenth birthday dinner. Everyone- his father, his step-mother Carole and his step-brother Finn- were so flabbergasted, they were momentarily too occupied to say the huge NO, before Kurt rushed into his room.

Arguments flew around, but Kurt kept his stance and insisted to volunteer.

His father, Burt, although he didn't point out, knew his son's intentions:

Kurt had always wanted to visit his mother's grave at the Capitol ever since he heard about her death when he was 10, two years after she went missing during the census, or more exactly, the bloodbath. Given that one of the privileges of the tributes is the freedom to roam in Capitol's streets a few days before the game, Kurt joining the games would give him the opportunity to do so.

Secondly and most important reason of all, District 3 didn't have any winners yet, so mentors were chosen by the tributes from their district to accompany them to the Capitol. Burt had a heart attack again a few months ago and his doctor said the medicines he needed could only be obtained in Capitol; he could do nothing since their district only had the most basic medications, rationing for all the sick ones. If Burt had another heart attack, he'd die.

Kurt would never let his father die.

By joining Hunger Games… Kurt's choices' either bring his father, as his mentor, to Capitol to be treated… Or he'll win the games and bring back the high-tech medications.

Opposed or not, Kurt's mind was set, and his family can do nothing to change it. Not that Finn can actually use his hand to cover Kurt's mouth throughout the reaping, because he'd get dragged out and whipped by the peacekeepers; nor they can prevent Kurt going- that's like signing their own death sentences, because attendance is mandatory and peacekeepers would come to check.

His family eventually acknowledged it, but that's just it: acknowledged it, not approve. They were devastated about his decision, about the idea of losing their beloved son, brother.

"Dad?"

"Hey kiddo- I'm in the kitchen."

"What are you DOING?" Kurt walked into the kitchen, immediately took in the scene in which his father was in ketchup. For a moment, he scared himself, assuming his father hurt himself.

"Um…Making spaghetti?" Burt said.

Kurt slightly shakes his head in disbelief. "Not if you're cooking yourself as pasta- No. Why didn't you ask Carole?"Kurt instantly grabbed the paper towelettes next to the sink to clean up the mess.

"I don't want to wake her up, she's still sleeping and she haven't sleep much for weeks… so I let her sleep in…" Burt mumbled, hands rose above head to let Kurt clean his shirt.

Guilt took over Kurt. It's his fault then. She's worried about him, about losing him, him in Hunger Games, him alone in the wild… him dying.

Isn't love curious? Kurt wondered. Carole married Burt during the winter a month ago, Kurt planned their wedding-nothing fancy really, but through it all, she's already becoming Kurt's confident, his best friend- close enough that she cried on the day his decision was make known, while she had once told him she didn't cry but only sob when Finn's father died.

The Hummels shared a few minutes of strained silence, with Kurt all the while cleaning Burt's shirt.

What could Kurt say in response? He couldn't comfort them nor could he tell them he's not going.

Burt cleared his throat uneasily.

"I... I've got something to give you."

"Oh?" Kurt's head bobbled up curiously but eyes still on the shirt, splashing some water on it by the tap.

Burt hauled Kurt out of the kitchen impatiently, so sudden that Kurt tripped. "Leave my shirt as it is. You don't have much time now- you still have to drive Rachel to the esplanade and this may take a while to explain."

Burt guided Kurt towards the staircase.

"What do you want to talk ab- HUH?"

Burt wasn't trying to pull him down to his basement room to talk.

His father was knocking on the wall opposite the staircase, as if looking for something. He knocked a few more times, finally found what he's looking for.

"Ah."He knocked the hallow brick a few more times as if to confirm.

"You're hiding something in a hole in a wall?" Kurt said incredulously. He felt like he's in a horrible TV series. His head ran a mile a minute, thinking of all the possibilities.

"Shh- you'll wake Carole and Finn up."

Burt carefully slipped his nails into the edges and ease two bricks out, surprisingly unproblematic.

Kurt could see the size of the hole clearer now; it's maybe fifteen inches deep into the wall. Kurt released a breath that he didn't know he was holding.

Burt extended his hand into the hole, stretching to reach, but Kurt saw the effort his father was making, arms were bending at weird angle.

"Dad, let me get it."

His father let him though Kurt looked nervous with excitement and was fearful of what things might be in the dark hole- (meaning: spiders, and poisonous bugs.)

Thank god-It was none of those things.

Kurt took hold of something soft and of paper texture. He then pulled.

It's happened to be a book.

"It was your mother's heirloom, in your mother's family for a while now. Now you can have it."Burt said softly as he leaned against the wall.

It's his mother's? Kurt cradled the book to his chest securely. It smelt like her lotus-scented perfume.

His father spoke again. "…As I've told you before, your mother actually came from district 4. Her family had passed on this book for generations' now- according to your mother; it's written by a few Hunger Games tributes that started the 2nd rebellion and overthrown the previous dominant government. It's supposed to be opened if the Hunger Games is to be held again."

Kurt's eyes widened.

"I thought about giving it to you beforehand, but I'd just want to check if you'll change your mind" Burt sighed"and apparently- not ever, 'cuz my son's as stubborn as me. "

Kurt chuckled, but it's not quite reached the eyes. "Thanks, Dad."

"Read and memorize as much as you can, kid. You'll need the knowledge." Burt made a move as if to hug his son but end up walking back to his room. Kurt's relieved; this was for the best he guessed.

"Dad… if you're not going to be my mentor… please take care of Carole and Finn okay? I'll be back before you know it."

It's not a goodbye. No goodbyes, because they're too painful and Kurt didn't want this to be the last.

Burt stopped midway, and turned, his eyes landed on Kurt with intensity.

Then two words came out from his lips.

"Don't Die."

Burt turned around again, determined not to look back.

"I'll try my best to win." Kurt whispered brokenly after his father's figure, not sure if his father heard the words spoken; only realizing tears springing in his eyes.

Kurt drove past the speed limit but he don't want to care.

By the time he reached Rachel's house, he was half an hour early till their decided meeting time. So he gently took the book his father had given him in his hands and tried to do some reading.

It's an heirloom from mom. Kurt's mind echoed.

Shakily, Kurt raised his hand to run his fingers above the book cover.

By the looks of the book, it must have not been read for years. Although the pages seemed like to be of the finest sheets, it's already yellowing with age. Kurt can see whoever once owned this book treasured it dearly for the edges of the pages weren't even worn out.

The cover had nothing except for a scribbled note at the bottom right corner.

You need this now, lot more than we do.

Curiosity flared, Kurt opened the book, but before he started reading the first page, out fell a parchment of paper between the pages.

To my son

When Rachel found Kurt, he was still behind the wheel, balancing a book between his knee, and looking thoughtful at one of the pages.

"Kurt?" Rachel said through the window. She was suddenly enthralled by the book's page, featuring a drawing of a pretty young girl with dark skin, looked ready to leap, and noticing how it was skillfully colored, vivid and lively.

Rachel raised her eyebrow. That's new.

Kurt finally snapped out of his trance and had some sense to close the book. "Rachel."

Rachel was the same age as Kurt and Finn, but what actually made Rachel and Kurt the best of friends were their mutual love for music and performing. Oh, did I mention that Kurt's gay? I guess I forgot. Kurt's liking for musicals and singing had made his peer singled him out, bullied for being gay. Even Finn took a while to truly accept him, to evolve from a slightly homophobic friend to an over-protective stepbrother. But amongst all, Rachel was the one who truly accept him for HIM from the beginning to the end.

Maybe it's just because she had two dads though.

Rachel was wearing, yet again, another ANCIENT dress which Kurt was shocked. Her fashion sense and annoyance might be the only flaws she had, but it's still often made Kurt questioned what would happen if she annoyed the hell out of him with her mouth and fashion sense the first day they've met.

"Kurt? Are you okay?"Rachel repeated.

Kurt's too dazed to mention the book. "Yes, but will be better if you'll allow me to choose your dress."

"It's vintage."Rachel replied, slightly defensive, fingering the material.

"You can still do so much better. The reaping is a one of a year event you're allowed to wear formal clothing. Of course you have to dress at your best, especially when it's your first reaping." Kurt rolled his eyes. Kurt had learned to navigate gently on the topic of fashion with Rachel; otherwise she would never let him dress her.

"See?"He gestured at his navy-blue designer suit. (My design. Kurt thought proudly) "I'm going all out too."

Rachel considered for a moment. "Okay, but fast, we don't have much time." She relented.

Kurt got out of the car in a sec and immediately ushered her into her house.

Kurt still haven't told Rachel about him going to volunteer at the games… seeing as she might cry and beg him to stay.

So when he help her with the dresses, he spent some time studying her face, because that's what closes to a goodbye for him in such a situation.

But it's still not a goodbye.

"My!" Finally when they got out of the house, with Rachel in an beautiful flowing pink dress, they realized they were rather late, seeing as Rachel's dads were at the door gazing at the sky, somewhat sulking.

Kurt stared at them. Tributes were reaped from the pool of children of age 17 to 19 according to the new rules, but adults were required to be reaped too, half an hour later since there's this slight chance they might be invited to be the mentor of the volunteered tributes.

Rules of the games were still muddled after 2 years of re-holding again.

It's not like it wasn't reasonable. People knew about the Hunger Games, but not the exact rules or detailed procedure of it- that information was burnt or lost in the rebellion.

But for Reaping, Kurt knew the rules were much more lenient, since the president learned from the past mistakes.

President Monford was a huge fan of the Hunger Games apparently, so five years after the bloodbath, with him dictating, he proposed the re-hold of Hunger Games.

However, it still took a few years for them to know how to build a decent arena for the games, and re-familiarize the technology used for broadcasting the show. So in the mean time, President Monford designed a different set of Reaping rules.

The changes were as followed: The picks of Hunger Games tributes would not be drawn from the ball, as long as there were volunteers. Besides, volunteering for the Hunger Games will have its bonuses; Volunteers would be given privileges in honor for their bravery and an extra advantage in the arena, either in form of weapon or knowledge.

Kurt and Rachel had deciphered the real reason behind all the rules changing long time ago; President Monford was trying very hard in preventing another rebellion while sufficing his desire for seeing another year of Hunger Games. No collective disagreement towards the government equals to no resistance.

"Bye Dads! See you at the esplanade!" Rachel's words cut off Kurt by mid-thought.

Kurt's first reaction was to elbow her.

"Mr. Berrys, Are you two coming with us? I've got my Navigator here, so, if you two like to, we can go together." Kurt beamed his winning smile.

"What have I told you, Kurt? Call us Charlie and Rick- and No, we'll go later. We want… to eat our breakfast first." Charlie said warmly.

"Okay then, bye Mi- uh Charlie. Bye Rick. See you at the esplanade." Kurt said with a nod.

Charlie and Rick nodded too, but Kurt can see they both gave Rachel warning looks.

Rachel stiffened beside Kurt.

"What was that all about?" Kurt asked when they got settled in the car, him booting the engine.

"What was what sweetheart?"Rachel gave him a fake smile. Kurt found that awfully scary.

"You know what I mean."

"Nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing."

"If you're asking me this, I have my own question for you then. What's that book you were reading before I come?"Rachel demanded.

"That's- a long story."Kurt muttered.

"Good then, because we have a long ride."

Kurt had an urge to drag a hand down his face, but he need to keep his hands on the wheel. He thought about his great-great-great… grandmother's letter, those heartbreaking memories jotted down in the book.

Those weren't the things he'd choose to tell Rachel, but he got cornered.

Oh yeah, this would be a long ride.

"You mean it's a book- your family heirloom- written by Hunger Games tributes winners, a memoir of their dead friends… and you found your great-great-great grandmother's letter to her son between its pages, in which she talks about becoming a lunatic after her games and how she met her son's father?" Rachel's voice trilled in a fast pace while her hand ghosted above the book cover gingerly after Kurt asked her to see it herself.

"Yeah- pretty much." Kurt winced.

Kurt told everything, but intentionally omitted the part about he's joining the games, his father hiding the book in a godforsaken hole in the wall. Those weren't really necessary for her to know.

His thought then strayed to memory of the page with his great-great-great grandfather's eyes, similar to his but in a beautiful sea green color, not glasz. Kurt didn't read every entry, but while he flipped the pages, that particular picture caught his eyes, vibrant and mesmerizing, with the caption- Finnick Odair.

His great-great-great grandfather's name, as mentioned in the letter.

Would he be disappointed in him in volunteering for the games if he's alive? Kurt hoped not.

"What's with the words at the corner of the book cover?"

"I don't know- it doesn't match with the script of my great-great-great grandmother, or the one inside."

"Is there anything else worth noting about the book?"

"Uh- I saw my great-great-great grandfather's eyes and my great-great-great grandmother's portrait?"

"O-okay, but please- eyes on the road, Kurt." Rachel looked stunned as Kurt showed her the pages.

"You're nostalgic about the book."Rachel said.

It's a statement, not a question. Of course she'd be as perceptive as always.

"It makes me think more." on whether should I be joining the Hunger Games. Kurt added mentally.

"It's on why our government repeating the same mistake, I presume?"

"You can put it like that." Kurt went along.

"…and seeing your great-great-great grandmother's letter makes you miss your mother." Rachel leaned over and gave him a half embrace.

Kurt had no response to that.

"We're here." Rachel said quietly as the car stopped at the alley next to the esplanade.

The esplanade was located at the only small part of shore where there's no factories.

District 3, despite years of economic developments, still specialized in electronics, automobiles and other devices. Even Burt owned a car shop-"Tires and Lube". The location of district 3 made a lot of influence on this since district 3's locating next to a huge lake, providing cooling agents for the factories. So the shores were scattered with factories, except here- the esplanade.

Nothing much was at the esplanade. It used to be only a large square for entertainment during the holidays, holding carnivals. But people avoided this place ever since the bloodbath, because this was where the people - got executed.

Kurt and Rachel made a bee line for their respective sign-in-booths. Kurt felt lucky that he left the book in the car as he took notes on the camera crew situated next to the booths.

That's odd.

"It's for later use. They want to take a recap of the volunteer signing in." Mayor Figgins materialized beside Kurt, answering his unspoken question.

Mr. Figgins, in Kurt's opinion, was always the type of person who won't bother you as long you return the courtesy. Kurt loathed him a lot, because Figgins' also his school principal. Figgins' not-bothering attitude certainly didn't help his bully case in school. Kurt could only curse at him after school was up ("I wish his hands are LITERALLY tied!" Kurt had screamed at his pillow once.), despite the fact that his curses were quite non-threatening.

"Shouldn't you be on the podium right now? Mr. Figgins? It's almost two already." Kurt tried to be polite.

"Oh, yeah, forgot about that. So I'll see YOU later, Kurt Hummel." Figgins gave him a wink and disappeared as fast as he came.

Kurt froze.

Of course, he knew.

Figgins knew about my later volunteer.Kurt sighed. He forgot the houses were bugged.

Minutes later, reaping started at two on the dot. Kurt stood in a small crowd of 17 year of boys, with Finn next to him ("What took you so long Kurt?" Finn pulled Kurt into a bone-crushing hug, a little teary), waiting for the television screen next to him come to life.

"Greetings to you all." Figgin's face showed up on the screen at last.

He then obediently read out a lengthy introduction of Panem's political history; the Dark Days, the first rebellion, the dictatorial period, the second rebellion and Panem today.

Afterwards, Figgins recited some List of reasons on why Hunger Games need to be hold again.

It'llgarnercourageandunityamongpeople-blah,blah,blah. Kurt repeated after Figgins in his head.

As if. That's the last thing they want.

Lastly, Figgins read out the earliest rules of Hunger Games.

"Each of the twelve districts must provide one girl and one boy, called tributes, to participate.

The twenty four tributes will be imprisoned in a vast outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen wasteland.

Over a period of several weeks, the competitors must fight to the death. The last tribute standing wins."

Some other aspect of the Hunger Games still held true, even the part about 12 districts. District 13 was evacuated and blocked on the day he announced the holding of Hunger Games (with the reason of poor living environment in District 13), the people were settled down at the nearby districts- as in district3 and district 12.

It's still a festival, a big sports event. The prizes were similar to those given from the Hunger Games before the second rebellion, if not better, since changes have to be made, because seriously- nobody's starving in Panem at this age.

"The last tribute alive receives a life of ease back home, and their district will be showered with prizes, everything required. All year, the Capitol will show the winning district gifts and delicacies."

"So that's all." Figgins ended his speech lamely. "Now, let's welcome Sue Sylvester!"

A tall woman with short blonde hair and red track suit shoved Figgins to the side and held the microphone. Everyone giggled at Figgins' glum face.

Sue Sylvester's the lethal-looking escort District 3 had. She used to live in District 3, a cheerleading coach in Kurt's high school and was under Figgins, but for some unknown reason, the Capitol allowed her to live in the Capitol city and to be in charge of escorting District 3's tributes.

There were a lot of rumors, but the most believable one was that she blackmailed an official.

"May the odds be ever in your favor."Sue Sylvester boomed into the microphone. She looked struggled; guessed she's refraining from shooting insults at the kids, or at the adult really.

"Now! It's time for volunteers. Anyone who would likes to volunteers, please shout out and raise their hands. Be Quick. We don't have much time, or we'll start drawing lots." Sue Sylvester shouted suddenly.

It's his cue.

Kurt weren't really worried about some other boy or girl would volunteer and he had to share the privilege of choosing the mentor. District 3 had never have volunteers.

So Kurt just raised his hand in Sue Sylvester's command, thinking he can have all the spot light, for once.

But what happened next wasn't what he expected as he voiced out.

A girl also volunteered.

"I volunteer as tribute!" Their voices joined in harmony.

Kurt could recognize that voice anywhere.