Katniss's POV

I could feel the air of disaster surrounding all of District 12. I knew something bad was going to happen. I was hopping that it was wrong. I knew that something would go terribly wrong, but I couldn't tell what. I stood there with the other 16 year olds, and waited as the funnily dressed woman stood getting ready to pick the District 12 tributes. That is when it happened.

"Prim Everdeen." I couldn't believe it. There is no way Prim was picked. Her name was one slip of paper amongst thousands; one to a thousand.

"I volunteer." The words left me lips before I could stop them, I saw the Peace Keepers stop. They released Prim and made way for me as I stepped up on to the poor excuse of a stage. The funny looking lady –Effie Trinket- quickly looked out to the crowed and was shocked by the silence I, on the other had, was not. Silence was a sign of respect when it came to the Capitols barbaric games. Then something unexpected happened. All of District 12 touched their three middle fingers to their lips and held them out to me. This was good-bye to someone you loved. It stunned me and I was already on the verge of tears, but I held it in.

Effie Trinket moved on to the boy's names and I didn't even have time to wish for Gale's safety.

"Peeta Mellark." The name rang vaguely familiar, and when I saw who the name belonged to, I remembered; the boy with the bread. We shared a long history, but weather he remembered it, was the thing. He took the stage. When Effie asked for volunteers, the wind whistled through the square. Just as we thought there was no one, right as Effie was going to move on, we heard it. It sounded small among in the crowd of thousands, but I knew the voice.

"I volunteer." Gale's voice rang out small yet strong.

Gale's POV

The words were unstoppable. I knew that I could protect her in the arena, and I would make sure she made it out alive, but the part I didn't think about was the fact that if Katniss made it out, I wouldn't. It was too late for that as I walked onto the stage. I looked at Katniss, and I saw the pain in her carefully hidden grey seam eyes.

"Looks like we still got a team Catnip." I whispered to her giving her a small smile. The pained expression grew, and I knew that she had come to the same conclusion I had moments before. One of us would die.

The goodbyes were so very painful, but the worst might have been the last one.

Prim walked in her eyes red from crying, and I guessed she had just come from seeing Katniss.

"Don't let her die. Protect her." Those were the only words Prim could say before she broke down into tears, and I held her in my arms. I noticed then some more differences between her and Katniss. Katniss was strong, and I have only seen her cry twice, both in the woods with only me to see her. Prim, was not as strong, she was like a fragile piece of glass that would break at one touch.

"I will." I looked into Prim's unnaturally different colored eyes, and she stared back, it looked almost like she was waiting.

"I swear to it Prim." She gave a stiff nod, and left with out another word. Not good luck, or anything. I guess I knew that her only hope was for Katniss to get out alive, and for once, I could agree with the little innocent child.

Katniss's POV

I couldn't believe it. What had Gale done? He had domed our families, that's what he's done. They couldn't survive, even with us hunting daily, they always need, wanted, more. I had no clue how they would survive. I wish Gale wouldn't have done that. I mean I understand why he did it. To protect me, but I could die, or live with out him sacrificing himself. I didn't even want to talk to him. Odds are that one of the other 22 tributes will kill him, but if I had to choose between my life and his, I would always pick him. I knew that here that was out of the question, but I will not let him die.

When they took us to the train station, I was very carful to keep a board looking expression on my face, and I could tell Gale had the same thoughts. When the cameras finally left and the train's doors closed I turned on Gale.

"What have you done!" I yelled at the top of my lungs and I didn't care who heard.

"Katniss, just hear me o—" I didn't give Gale time to explain anything, pounced, hopping to hit him hard enough to at least get him onto the ground. I was mistaken. Gale was hard as a stone, when I hit him, but I made him waver a bit. When he saw I was going to fall he came down with me. That is when I took over. I tried to pin him down so I could slap him at least. After what seemed like an eternity of thrashing in the plush carpet of the train Gale had won. I was pinned down on the ground; he was on top of me holding me down.

"Listen to me Katniss," Gale's voice was a harsh hiss, and I was scared of him for the first time in my life. "I am doing this for you. I can protect you in that arena, but I can't help you if you won't take what I offer." Gale slowly let me up, but his touch lingered even as he walked away.