Hey guys, I see some of you felt we went a little… far… with Peeta's death. We see how that could be the case but it was necessary as you will see this chapter.
Kawino heard footsteps approaching where he still sat beside Peeta and knew he had to leave now. He got up and spun on his heels and went the other way then he heard Katniss' voice come from his walkie talkie, "Kawino, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm alright." He said leaping into a tree. "Peeta's dead now though." He added.
"He is? Did you kill him?"
"Yes, he had crossed the line and I end up doing some things I'm really not proud of."
"Well, get back to me and we can talk."
"I will as soon as I confirm I lost what was following me." Kawino said looking down from his tree. There in the clearing stood what looked to be a wolf. Since the mace was bad for distance he took out the knife that was in his pack and checked first hoping it was not a pack. It appeared to be alone he checked in all directions to be sure. Not seeing any others he took aim and threw the knife at the wolf. It hit right between the eyes.
It fell clearly dead so Kawino climbed down retrieving the knife. He stared and then grabbed the corpse they could eat it after all there was plenty of meat. He threw it over his shoulder and headed back to where they agreed to meet.
When he arrived Katniss was waiting for him. "It was a wolf." He started the obvious laying it down. "I was treed by a wolf."
"Well, clearly you won." She said.
"Yeah, it still treed me."
"That's okay it happens."
"No, it was pathetic."
"It happens." Katniss said.
"Since when."
"It's a wolf anyone would have run." She said and added. "Even Careers looking at the previous games."
"Well I guess."
"Exactly, so don't beat yourself over it."
"Okay," He sighed.
"So… what happened with Peeta?" She asked so he explained the entire encounter.
"Oh, I see." She said.
"I'm such a terrible person." He said burying his face in his hands. "I try not to but when it comes down to it I'm just like them."
"No, you just lost your temper." She said gently.
"You don't know that. It's obviously there at least. What if in the future I do end up having a son or daughter and treat them the same way?"
"You wouldn't do that, you know you wouldn't."
"They fact that you're breaking down over this only proves that you won't be. Sure, in a fit of anger you acted similar but you're self-aware and extremely guilty over it."
"I just don't know."
"I know you won't let yourself." She insisted.
"I don't." He said.
"You honestly think your parents every feel that way?"
"No, I don't think they feel."
"Then that's the difference." She said.
"You think so?"
"Yes, I really do."
"Well alright," He sighed.
"Can you trust me on that?" She asked.
"I can trust you." He said. "Do you know if the wolf meat can be eaten?" He asked.
"I think so." She said. "It will probably be very tough and metallic-y." She added looking at the wolf corpse.
"If you don't want to eat it we can just leave it." He said.
"We should probably leave it. We can find other meat and it's not really worth dragging around."
"Alright sorry then." He said.
"It's okay. You had the right reasoning." She told him. "Thank you for trying at least."
"No problem." He sighed.
"Did you get anything?" He asked her.
"A few squirrels and a bird."
"Alright, that should work out then."
"Yeah we should move though." She said.
"Agreed," He nodded and they set off.
"You think we should attack them?" Kawino asked.
"Depends on who 'they' are?"
"The other careers." He said.
"You think we could?"
"Maybe, if we plan."
"Alright then, yes I think we should."
"We just need a plan." Kawino said.
"Then we should try before they do."
"Okay but this is going to require some spying." He said.
"Alright, I can handle that."
"We also might need a third person." Kawino said.
"I could help with that." A voice disembodied said from the trees.
"Who's there?" Kawino asked raising his mace.
"I'm not going to attack you. Just please lower your mace." The voice said still not revealing itself but now from a different tree.
"How do I know you won't attack when I lower my mace?"
"How do I know you won't attack if I show myself? I just want to help on your attack on the Careers."
"Fine, but you attack and you die." Kawino warned.
There was a pause and Foxface stepped into view. "Hello." She said.
"Hello," Kawino said carefully.
"So, I hear you need a partner?"
"Well, yeah, it would be hard to do with just the two of us."
"I can help with that. In fact, I have already done quite a bit of spying and already know a big weakness in the camp."
"Really?" Kawino asked skeptically.
"Yes, they brought in the boy from 3 who had dug up and reactivated the mines from the beginning reburying them to protect their food and supplies while they're out 'hunting'."
"That is very impressive." Kawino said.
"Yes, I think we could use them to our advantage if we're smart about it."
"Alright you have our attention." Katniss said.
"Then let's figure out a plan." Foxface said.
"Okay." Kawino nodded.
"Are we killing them our cutting them of? We could use the mines for either."
"If we could kill one or two of them and cut them off that would work."
"Then we just need to find a way to activate enough of the mines at one time."
"Like how?"
"Knock something over?" Katniss suggested.
"It would need to be something big."
"Or full of something." Katniss added.
"Yeah, but at the right angle."
"We might be able to we'll see what we have to work with." Katniss said thinking it over.
"Okay, so we carefully go check then." Kawino said.
"Exactly, you guys ready?"
Kawino and Foxface nodded. "They're at the Cornucopia right?" Katniss asked Foxface. She nodded as they set off.
They got there finding it set up very similar to canon. "Okay difficult." Kawino said. "See any that might work?" He asked either of them.
She pointed to the bag of apples from canon. "We just have to hit it right." Foxface said.
"And we'd really only get one shot."
"Maybe we should scavenge first."
"I could get there without setting them off but not while they're there."
"Okay, so we draw them away." Kawino said.
"They're attracted to fire." Katniss suggested.
"We draw back and start a fire." Foxface said.
"Exactly probably a few and pretty far though."
"We may need to wait until tomorrow." Kawino said.
"That would probably be best." Katniss agreed.
"Alright then." Foxface said
"We should move then." Katniss added since they were still so close to the Pack.
"Yeah, we should." They nodded and headed off.
"So are you staying with us?" Kawino asked.
"Would that be okay?" She asked. "If not I'll leave."
"No, you can stay. Might as well." Kawino said.
"Are you sure? I could find you guys tomorrow anyways."
"No, it's fine. Three people means more sleep for everyone."
"Okay, then I will."
"Good." He said.
"Plenty of time until then though." She said looking at the sky.
"Yes, we should gather plants."
"That works." Kawino said.
"Split up then?" Katniss asked.
"Yeah, same spot to meet back up." They nodded and the all set out
Foxface headed off away from any of the places where she knew had other tributes looking for anything. She searched until she found some dark blue berries. She went to pick them not realizing it. "No, don't eat those," Kawino said jumping out of a tree and stopping her. "Those are nightlocks." He said more calmly since she immediately listened to the warning. "One of the strongest poisons there is."
"How strong?"
"You would have been dead before they hit your stomach."
"Oh," She looked down but then surprised him by kissing his cheek. "Thank you."
"It's no trouble." He said seeming surprised.
"Still, you saved my life."
"We are allies." He said.
"Still, thank you."
"It was my pleasure."
"We might be able to work with those in other ways though." Foxface added.
"Yeah, we can just crush them."
She nodded, "And stick them into other tribute's food."
"Also dip Katniss' arrows in."
"And your mace." She added.
"Would that work?" Kawino asked.
"I don't see why it wouldn't."
"Okay." He said.
"Then we have a plan." Foxface said and picked a bunch.
They put them in a pouch and headed to Katniss. "Find anything?" She asked.
"We found Night lock." Kawino said. "Obviously not edible but we can use them in other ways."
"Like poisons?" Katniss asked. They both nodded. "Alright we can work with that."
"We figured." Kawino said. "Stick them in other people's food, crush them up and dip arrows and the mace in it."
"Both." Katniss said.
"Exactly what we were thinking."
"Well, let's do it." So Foxface pulled out the berries. "Find a flat rock."
Kawino searched and quickly found one. They set it down in a clearing and Foxface laid down the berries.
He began to gently crush them. Soon it was all to a mush. "Hand me a few of you arrows." He said holding out a hand. She of course did. She watched as he soaked both sides of the arrow head in the berries. He did that with all of them and handed them back to her. "Now any shot should be lethal."
"That's great!" She said.
"Exactly, then just use the regular arrows when hunting food. Get me some wood and I can put a divider in the quiver."
"Right," She said and started looking. She found a small bit of wood and looked it over before deciding it should work well. "Here," She said handing him both. "Thank you, that's perfect." He said and stuck it in dividing the arrows correctly before handing it to her. "Left is poison, right is regular."
"Thank you." She said smiling awkwardly.
"It was nothing."
"Well still thanks." She said with a quick hug.
She didn't really notice his slight blush when she let go. "Thanks." He said.
"You're welcome."
"Now what?"
Kawino shrugged and used some leaves to wrap up the remaining nightlock mush. "Definitely need to clean of my hands."
"Yeah, you should."
"Any idea where or how? If we do use water then it's eliminated as a source."
"The water in your container." Foxface said.
"Right," He sighed feeling useless again for not thinking of it.
"Hold out your hands and one of us can dump the water."
He sighed and did. "What is the matter?" Katniss asked.
"I should have thought of that."
"I did not think of it either."
"It was obvious though. I'm just so useless."
"No you are not!" She said.
"I should have thought of that." He repeated.
"Kawino, its fine." She said.
"I should have though."
"Relax." She said.
"Alright," He gave just holding out his hands.
"That's better." She said. She pulled out a water bottle and poured some on his hands. He rinsed the water off his hands before giving a slight yawn. Katniss noticed and turned to Foxface. "We need to find a place to camp. Kawino's going to sleep." She said leaving no room for argument.
"Why do I need to sleep?" He asked.
"Because you're tired and have a lifetime to make up for."
"I'm fine though." He said as they set out,
"No you're not. You need to sleep."
"Katniss, I am fine."
"No you're no. You just think you are."
"I am though."
"Kawino, please just get some sleep."
"Fine." He sighed.
"Good," Katniss smiled as they kept walking.
"You two fight like a couple." Foxface said.
"Like a couple what?" Kawino asked.
"Just a couple you know a boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"Oh," He said blushing now.
"Yeah." Foxface said smiling.
"Cato and Clove never argued. They were perfect."
"All couples argue on occasion even if it's rare.
"They never did." He repeated.
"As far as you know." Foxface pointed out.
"They wouldn't. They were perfect."
"What makes you say that?"
"They were. Mother and Father even said so and they were always so happy together."
"Your mother and father were cruel."
"So? They loved Cato and Clove. Said they were perfect all the time."
"They wanted to torment you."
He shook his head, "If they wanted to torment me by it they would have called them worthless pieces of shit as well."
"Why did they say it to you?"
"Because it's true."
"No." Katniss said.
"You keep saying that."
"Because it's true."
"How so?"
"You have helped us. I mean without you, I would be dead." Foxface said.
"That was just because of training. You would have known too if you were a career."
"And you gave me the bow when most would have just killed me."
"You two are just insistent on this aren't you?" He sighed.
"Yes we are." Foxface said.
"Why do you care anyways?"
"Because you saved my life in an arena where the goal is to kill each other."
"It's only the second day and this is an alliance."
"Does not matter others would have let me die."
"Not really looking at previous games." He pointed out.
"I have and most careers would let me die."
"Well, yeah, Careers but that's different. You would too if your family was held at gunpoint on it."
"Yet you still saved me."
"Yeah I did that would be a horrible way to die."
"Exactly," She said.
"So, by saving you from a horrible death I am a good person?"
"Exactly," They both nodded.
"Well, I suppose."
"That's not the only reason either."
"Seems to be." He said.
"It isn't. You're useful in many ways."
"Not really no."
"Well, to us you are."
"Well, thank you."
"It's our pleasure."
He smiled a little at that. "Well, still, thank you."
"Now, what about a cave?" Foxface asked.
"That should work if hidden well enough."
"Good then let's look near the mountains."
"Okay," They agreed and headed there. They found one high in the mountains.
"That should be perfect." Foxface said looking it over.
"What's your name?" Kawino asked randomly.
"Oh, sorry." Foxface said awkwardly remember she never told them. "It's Ember."
"That's a nice name." Katniss said.
"Thank you, yours is, too."
"Thanks." She said.
"So, should we head to it?" Ember asked.
The other two nodded. So they headed up and into the cave, Katniss and Kawino both had their weapons at the ready being a high likelihood of encountering mutts in there. They peered in and heard loud snoring. Obviously not human. They froze and Katniss drew back her bow ready for a mutt attack.
Then the thing started to move.
Her eyes quickly searched to identify anything as a kill shot. It was large with a large coal black fur all over. She released the arrow hoping to find a match. It hit the animal in the leg and it roared.
Ember had pretty much disappeared when it did.
Kawino smashed his mace into the things other leg. It fell to the ground but while it did, swung a very large, clawed paw at his chest.
A few of its claws caught his right shoulder. That actually did send him back having hit right where she always shot the arrow. He gritted his teeth and barely avoided the paw towards his head.
He ducked it completely though and swung his mace at the arm. There was a sickening CRACK!
He smirked and moved forward swinging at the body. There was another crack and the animal slowed.
Katniss shot an arrow to the upper part of the body and by pure luck hit the heart. The animal collapsed to the ground dead. Kawino smirked as it fell. "Nice shot," He told her as Ember came back awkwardly.
"Sorry." Ember said.
"It's okay. You're just not a fighter."
"Well, I have no weapons."
"Can you use a knife?"
"Yeah I can, but I was better with blunt weapons."
"You can get one from the Cornucopia but take this for now." He said and took out the knife throwing it to her so that she'd catch the handle which she did. "I'm not supposed to have it anyways."
"Why not?" Katniss asked. He showed them both the slits on his wrists. "Who did that?" Katniss asked walking over to look at his shoulder.
"My wrist or my shoulder?"
"Your wrists." She said taking out the bandages.
"I did." He answered honestly.
"You cut yourself?" Ember asked.
"Yes I did. Started when my sister announced that she and Cato were dating then when she left to see him my parents spent the next few hours telling me how I'm going to lose her and I'd never have that kind of thing with anyone."
"They said that?" Ember asked.
"Yes they did. Certainly was no surprise from them but that didn't stop it from hurting more than any beating or weapon could ever dream of."
"Well, they were wrong."
"I believed them though."
"You shouldn't have."
"Well, I did. It was hard not to in my situation."
"I know, but still." Katniss said.
"Sorry," Kawino said looking down.
"You didn't know anything else though." Katniss sighed.
"You're right though. I shouldn't have believed them." He said not looking up.
"Yes, but anyone would have if they were raised that way."
"I seriously doubt you can even call what they did 'raising' him." Ember noted absolutely sickened by their actions.
"Well, I could not think of a better way."
"I can't either." She admitted.
"So we will stick with it."
"So… it isn't my fault?" He asked awkwardly.
"No, not even a little."
"You were making it sound like it is."
"Sorry about that we were not trying to."
"You were right though." He corrected.
"About it not being your fault?"
"That I shouldn't have believed them."
"They never should have said it either."
"Well, yeah but that's a given."
"The point is it is not your fault."
"At least part of it is though."
"No not really."
"Yes really."
"Why?"
"Because I was weak and fell for it."
"You were raised on it, anyone would have."
"What makes you so sure?"
"If you are raised being told something you believe it most times."
"Really?" He asked looking between them.
"Really." Ember said.
"Well… thank you?" He said awkwardly.
"No trouble."
"You still need to sleep though." Katniss reminded once his shoulder was all bandaged up.
"Okay." He sighed. Though awkward he did give in and lay down on the cave floor.
Katniss took first watch that night and noticed from here she could see the Career camp.
'Perfect,' She thought keeping an eye on it. They all appeared to be there gathering supplies to go on a hunt and then the anthem played. The Seal was shown then Peeta's face.
That was all, and this seemed to surprise the careers. Katniss was confused by that having never known he was with them. "He was on their team." Ember said.
"That doesn't make any sense." Katniss said considering how much he was getting on her case for allying with Kawino.
"Well it's true. I saw him when they nearly found me."
"The little hypocrite."
"What?" Ember asked.
"Since the interview he had been pretty much at my throat for allying with Kawino."
"Wow! Why is that?" She asked.
"He said that he's clearly lying and since he's a Career they cannot be trusted."
"Very close minded of him." She said.
"Yes it is. So, what was he doing in the Pack then?"
"Who knows?" Ember shrugged staring out over the many shades of green that was the Forrest.
"I guess I can't be mad at him now though."
"Why not?" Ember asked.
"Because he's dead."
"Be mad at the memory then."
"Seems cruel though."
"Well I suppose." Ember said carefully. "How did Peeta die anyways?" Ember asked.
"Kawino killed him. He just sort of snapped and started acting like his parents towards him which as you can imagine was absolutely terrifying for Kawino."
"Yeah, must have been awful."
"Yeah, he wants to have his own children one day but that made him worried he'd treat them the same way."
"I do not think he would."
"I don't either and I've tried telling him that."
"Did it work?"
"For the most part."
"Meaning?"
So she detailed the talk they had.
"They got to him mentally."
"Yes but this time it's different."
"How?"
"How's it not?"
"They still got to him mentally."
"I'm not sure."
"So then how is it different?"
"It's just… if you had seen him."
"That different huh?"
"Yeah, very."
"Well, then all we can do is help him."
"I know. I really do plan on it."
"I think he likes you." Ember said.
"You think so?" Katniss asked turning to her.
"Yeah, I really do, he looks at you different he listens to you." Katniss looked back at Kawino who was still asleep on the ground but kept stirring wondering how she felt about that if he does. "Odd thought huh?" Ember asked.
"Yeah, he deserves someone better though."
"What's wrong with you?" She asked.
"First off there's that only one of us can get out of this alive."
"Yeah, I suppose."
"I'm also rude, anti-social, impulsive, from a completely different district, and as I said before he wants children one day which I swore I will never have." Katniss listed off.
"He is anti-asocial and impulsive as well."
"Well, I guess but that still doesn't change the first part."
"That's true...sorry." She said.
"If he wins, I know he'll find someone good for him back in District 2 though."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Because any girl would be lucky to have him."
"Maybe, but he may not want any girl."
"Nothing wrong with that either."
"What if he only wants you?"
"Then he'd have to get over that. I'm nothing special anyways."
"You really have a low opinion of yourself."
"It's only true though."
"I disagree, you may not believe it, but have you seen...you?"
"What do you mean?" Katniss asked.
"Well, to put it simply, you are a rather attractive girl."
"No, I'm not."
"Panem at large would disagree."
"Only when Cinna does me up."
"I would not be so sure personally." Ember shrugged.
"I'm really not though."
"Again, it is a matter of opinion."
"Well, maybe to some."
"Exactly, it's all opinion."
"He'd still get over me with time."
"You do not know that, he has a lot to get over."
"So?" Katniss asked.
"So, you want to give him more to get over?"
"Well, I don't have any other choices here unless you want me to just put him out of his misery now."
"No, I don't and you know it."
"Of course not. I never could anyways." Katniss sighed.
"You could not kill him?"
"I'm honestly not sure. Certainly not yet anyways."
"Interesting." Ember sighed.
"I had promised him I wouldn't hurt him yet earlier anyways."
"I see, well okay then." Ember said.
"One of us should go to sleep as well though." Katniss said.
"I suppose so, do you want to?" Ember asked.
"You can go ahead. You can take the second shift."
"Are you sure?" Ember asked.
"Yeah, Kawino ended up letting me sleep all last night so I'm rested."
"Okay." She yawned.
"I have a sleeping bag you can use."
"Thank you." She said.
Katniss got it out and handed it to her. She took it and laid down. Katniss sighed looking back over at the Pack. 'Why was he with them?' She wondered.
You thought Foxface was Rue didn't you? Yeah, that was the point. We're so mean. Just to clarify, that mutt/animal they encountered in the cave was a bear. Felt fitting since it was a cave. Anyway, as always review and you are welcome to flame.