CLOVE'S POV

The sun finally illuminates the sky, but neither Cato or I move. Instead, we stay curled up into one another, Brutus is already ticked- might as well give him something to truly be ticked off about. I sit up and throw knives into small creatures. Great, another meal. Cato tries stabbing one with his sword, but his hand bursts with pain. I see the stream of blood running down. He doesn't see me take notice.

Cato moves his sleeve to absorb the blood, I pretend not to notice. There's no threats of other tributes today, nothing but a breeze in the air. Finally, I speak.

"How's the hand?"

He sighs. "It's . . . " His face scrunches up before he finishes. ". . fine." I know it's not fine. I take his hand into my palm, the bleeding has begun again, and at the rate it's going- Cato better be able to fight with his other hand. It's afternoon, I know we've been drifting in and out all day. The arena's starting zone is so quiet. Not even the mockingjays in the trees sound in the air.

Cato stays asleep for much of the afternoon. His hand is a sight you can't miss. It's swelling, and white. Loss of cirrculation? There's nothing in the bags to help, I've searched. And Brutus isn't helping. So I sit and stare at him.

How did we end up like this? How did we end up here?

I would do anything to take back my volunteer. Sigh, but then I wouldn't know any of what I do now. Hell, I'd still be a friend, a virgin, a trainee..

CATO'S POV

My eyes aren't fully closed, and I'm in that state between dreaming and asleep, but yet I'm aware of what is going on around me. All I can focus on though is her. Right now, we can go home. Together, and live. Neither of us has to die. She looks so fierce, so beautiful; even with tired eyes, and dark circles. Clove still looks strong, brave. Maybe that's just who she is- who am I kidding? Of course, that is who she is- always has been.

"ATTENTION TRIBUTES. ATTENTION. COMENCING AT SUNRISE, THERE WILL BE A FEAST TOMORROW AT THE CORNUCOPIA. THIS WILL BE NO ORDINARY OCCASION. EACH OF YOU NEEDS SOMETHING DESPERATELY. AND WE PLAN TO BE GENEROUS HOSTS."

The announcement has Clove's eyes wide, I'm awake now. She grins with an evil spark. I know exactly what she is thinking, and I couldn't agree more.

"Grab the bag, and kill all who come."

"You leave Katniss to me, leave her to me, and I will give everyone a show." Clove says with a dramatic tone.

Oh, how I know she will give the audience a show, a show that no one will forget.

CLOVE'S POV

The sun sets earlier than it has been within the arena. Sitting cross legged, in front of Cato, and the small fire we have started, we formulate a plan. A plan with enough flavor for the Capitol, enough vengenance for Brutus's sake, and enough blood for the crowns.

"So, you will go darting in." he is clearing up the plan.

"Yes, and I will hide deep within, and wait for the others. We're closest to the cornucopia, no reason why I shouldn't be the first one to the feast."

"I will leave the girl from Five for you, and-"

"Katniss." I bluntly cut him off. Katniss's death will be more than enough to satisfy me in the arena. One team will remain.

Cato shakes his head up and down. "It'll be easy to hunt down the boy. He can't run, I don't remember much from that day, but-" He tosses his sword in a playful manor. "-I do remember the cut that hit just slightly too low. And I won't hunt too far. . .you scream, and I'll be there."

"If you hadn't have missed, we would only be worrying about his lover. . ." I add, ignoring the rest of the sentence.

"Are you kidding me? Are you fucking joking Clove? If I would've killed him, how would you know if the rules would've been changed?"

". . . . . we could've made them change."

"Oh, and start a damn uprising? CLOVE. Let's be real right now. They changed the rules for District Twelve, not us. We just happen to benefit too."

"I'm not saying they woul-"

"Clove, just SHUT UP." I look to the ground- annoyed. But he surprises me, by moving closer to where I am. He leans in and plants a light kiss on my lips. I can only imagine Brutus's face, and how entirely pissed off he must be. Cato puts his hands on either side of my face and holds it from moving. Our lips part.

"Just shut up and stick to the plan. We will go home."

The two of us lay down to the ground, with the fire smoldering ever so little. I begin to drift, but before I do, I look to him.

"Together or not at all." I say, because even if I do win, and Cato somehow dies, I lose.

It's quiet before he repeats it back to me.

"Together or not at all Clove."