Authoer's Notes~

I was hoping to get this up earlier, but I still think this is pretty good timing. :) Just a little shorter than the previous chapter, but same basic length which I hope to maintain.

Read and enjoy~! :)

Rise From Ashes

Chapter Two

Morning had come too soon.

Already sunlight streamed through the thin sheets of the tent, forcing Katniss's eyes to work their way open. Inwardly she groaned as she slowly lifted herself up. Madge and Prim were both absent; the sun was already up in the sky.

Reluctantly Katniss rose to her feet, straightening out her baggy shirt. At least the peaceful sleep made it easier to wake again to reality. Today they were heading out to the Capitol…the thought was both nerve wrecking and hopeful. Peeta was at the Capitol…and what they were doing to him Katniss can only imagine.

W-What if…. She refused to finish the thought. Katniss shook herself and quickly rubbed away tears that began to form in her eyes. "No…" she muttered to herself. No…I can't mope. I can't! There's too much at stake to get emotional…

With a few deep breaths Katniss had regained herself. No matter what she had to stay strong, for the sake of those around her.

"Catnip?"

Hearing the familiar voice brought a smile to Katniss and she looked to him as soon as she heard his voice.

Gale stood at the entrance to the tent, smiling a Katniss with his hands casually at his hips.

"Morning Gale," Katniss greeted her friend with a friendly hug. Lately, Katniss felt like tearing up over every familiar face she saw. She was happy that they're still alive in this war, fearful that they might be gone the next day.

Gale laughed softly, returning the hug, "Morning? Hardly. The sun's nearly halfway across the sky!"

"I…I slept that late? And nobody woke me?" Katniss said with a bit of irritation, breaking away from Gale and folding her arms.

"Nobody wanted to wake you." Gale grinned, ignoring Katniss's stubborn annoyance, "Madge and I figured you'd be angry about it either way, so we decided to just let you rest. We have a long trip tonight after all."

"Yeah….But waking earlier still would have been nice…especially if it means spending more time with Prim, or Madge..." Katniss meant this as a retort, but it came off a bit too sad when she realized the truth of where she was heading.

I might not see them again after today…

Gale frowned, resting a hand on Katniss's shoulder, "Don't worry," he smiled at her, "You and I are an unbeatable team, aren't we?"

Katniss managed a smile, nodding gratefully to Gale, "Yeah, I know."

"C'mon," Gale urged, taking Katniss's hand, "Let's hunt."

Together, Katniss and Gale caught a good bundle of game. It was a peaceful afternoon in the woods, it felt like they were back at home, back at District 12. The memorable feeling calmed Katniss and put her to ease.

"Wow!" Madge exclaimed happily upon seeing the amount of game caught by the two friends, "It's like you guys hit a gold mine."

"It's good fortune out here." Gale grinned, swinging a squirrel by the tail, "And skill of course."

Madge laughed lightly, "Of course."

The game was all handed out, Madge got that squirrel Gale was toying with, and Katniss saved a good deer for her mother and Prim. Though Buttercup seemed to dislike the deer, but the cat could starve for all Katniss cared. And I wouldn't even have the guilt of killing it.

Lastly, Katniss reserved a good rabbit, a good plump rabbit with a clean kill to the eye. With the rabbit she headed off to yet another tent. It was smaller, meant only for one person. She pushed aside the tent entrance, calling in, "Finnick?

Katniss blinked, not seeing him. That was until she heard soft snoring on the floor. She looked down and arched an eyebrow. She thought she had slept in late. There was Finnick, spread out across his sleeping back….and drooling. Katniss then smiled in amusement, dropping the rabbit smack on his face. At once Finnick bolted up in alarm, stunned at first, but after registering the rabbit and Katniss, he grinned at her, "Brought me a present, did you? How sweet."

"Before you do anything else…" Katniss touched the corner of her mouth with her finger tip, smirking at Finnick.

For a moment Finnick had to think about what she meant, then he rubbed the drool from the corner of his mouth, "That's embarrassing…"

"Very," Katniss chuckled, "And you slept in. It's way past noon."

Finnick leaned back, grinning up at Katniss, "Since we leave late, thought I'd sleep for the day."

"Liar." Accused Katniss.

"C'mon, makes sense." Finnick pointed out, rising to his feet while picking up the rabbit with his other hand.

"Well eat that up quickly, I think it's nearing time to go." Katniss looked back at the sun that was beginning to sink.

"I didn't sleep in that late!" objected Finnick, blinking at the brutal sun.

"Apparently you did." Katniss shrugged.

After that, Katniss left Finnick be with his rabbit and headed back to the tent she shared with Madge and her family. Buttercup greeted her at the entrance to the tent, hissing at her as she passed in. He went ignored.

Inside Katniss found Madge kneeling on the ground. "Madge?'

Madge looked over her shoulder, "You have to leave soon," she smiled, standing up and holding a folded outfit with her single arm, "Thought you might want to take this along – your Mockingjay outfit."

Katniss looked over the nicely folded outfit, reaching her hand out to feel the fabric. It was smooth; it felt nice to the skin, "Cinna…" Katniss murmured before biting her lip.

"He wouldn't let you go into trouble without protection," Madge smiled, "Winslet wanted me to give this to you. I can't say I know the details…"

Katniss felt tears begin to fill her eyes again. She let one fall, but only one, fall down her cheek to leave a single wet trail. Madge said nothing, she just put a comforting hand on Katniss's shoulder, setting the outfit aside, which Katniss preferred. What could Madge even say? She didn't know Cinna.

"You alright?" she finally said after a moment.

Katniss took a deep breath, nodding slowly and smiling to Madge, "Of course…" Stay strong Katniss. "Thanks Madge, I appreciate it."

Madge smiled, "I'm not one to thank. I haven't. You know, it's getting late. Grab what you need and go meet with Winslet."

The hovercraft was just about ready to go. Katniss stood before it, hugging her Mockingjay outfit tightly to her chest. The thought of going to the Capitol brought mixed emotions, but she was determined to go regardless. She wanted to go. Cinna's Mockingjay outfit gave her confidence she needed.

"Ready?" Hughes came up beside Katniss. He smiled down at her and his arms were casually folded.

"More than I'll ever be." Katniss sighed, but then nodded to Hughes, deciding she needed to give a more confident response, "I'm ready. I'd rather go now than later, and I'd really rather go now than never."

"At least you're a decent actress," mused Hughes, "I know you're nervous, and frankly I can't blame you. Everyone is nervous during times of war."

"You seem pretty calm." Katniss pointed out, raising an eyebrow up at Hughes.

"Like you, I can act." Hughes winked, "I like this no more than you. But we go into it together. Just remember that you're not alone Katniss. You might be our Mockingjay, but we stand beside you through it all."

"Hughes!"

Winslet approached, nodding to her right hand man and Katnss, "Good, you're here Katniss. Feel free to climb aboard," she looked to Hughes, "With me then, Hughes."

Hughes looked back to Katniss, giving her a curt nod and a warm smile before following after Winslet.

It was then did Katniss decide she liked Hughes.

Katniss looked back to the hovercraft for a moment – her one way trip to the Capitol – and then began to board it.

"Katniss!"

Looking over her shoulder, Katniss recognized her sister, Prim, running up to her. Buttercup typically was trailing behind her.

"Prim…" Katniss smiled at her sister, turning around as her sister crashed into her arms in a hug.

"You were actually going to leave before saying goodbye!" accused Prim, but she smiled and Katniss hugged her tighter, "I hate goodbyes...they always bring tears."

"Then I won't cry," Prim smiled at Katniss, "I'll smile, because I know you're just going on a trip. I'll be seeing you again in no time, even if they won't let me come with."

"If you came with, who would tame Buttercup?" Katniss joked, looking down to the cat who sat at their feet.

"I don't think you give him enough credit," giggled Prim, bending down to pet Buttercup, who purred at her touch.

Prim then looked up at Katniss, rising to her feet with Buttercup in her arms, "Just promise me you'll be careful Katniss?"

Katniss gave her sister a thumb up, "It's a promise, and I never break a promise!"

Prim backed up, smiling brightly at Katniss, "Then I'll see you soon!"

"You bet!" Katniss nodded to her before vanishing inside the hovercraft, where everyone else waited for her inside.

The trip was long. Katniss for the most part kept quiet, lost in her own thoughts. Gale didn't bother or disturb her, which Katniss appreciated. She ensured to keep far away from Haymitch and remain huddled by the window, Gale remaining seated at her side. His presence was all she needed.

She kept her Mockingjay outfit close, and despite her long peaceful sleep the night before, the flight made her drowsy. Eventually, her eyelids fell close. Filling up her dreams were frightening images of Peeta, being tortured for any scrap of information he could have, of Cinna being dragged away bloody, of Johanna being tormented….

It was a long, unwanted sleep.

Author's Notes~

Admit it, you all thought I forgot about Finnick. xD I so did not. ;) You might note that Katniss appears to be a little out of character, but I hated her so much in Mockingjay that I had to tweak her. I understand that she may be a bit depressed...but goodness she was just annoying. -_-

Reviewers get cookies~! Aren't I generous? :D See my halo? :)