Hey guys, sorry, sorry, illness, Senior Year, college stuff, scholarships, eight month old niece at home most of the weekdays. Where can you find the time right? Well, I somehow did so here you are. We have a chapter that… heck, just read it.

It was a short while before morning, Kawino sat at the edge of the face by their cave keeping an eye on the other Careers who were still asleep except Ria who was keeping guard as well at the moment. 'Could I get away with going to see her? Or would she attack?' He thought but decided there would be way too much risk though. He could not help but stare at her as she paced the campsite.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed the sun was just starting to rise in the distance. He had to wake them; it was time. He sighed and went over to wake Katniss and Ember and shook them gently. They both woke up pretty easily. "It's time." Kawino said.

"Figured, ready for the plan then?" Katniss asked.

"As I can be."

"So, first we need to get Ember there."

"Right let's move then." She said.

He nodded and they headed down. "So fires first." Kawino said.

"Right, we need to figure out where to place them."

"Not too far or too close obviously." Kawino said.

Katniss nodded, "Yeah, both definitely important."

"Really careful." Kawino said.

"I get that."

"I know. I just talk out loud when I think sometimes."

"Oh, okay, go ahead then."

"Thank you." He said.

"No problem. If it helps and doesn't get too loud."

"It's usually never loud."

"Then there's no problem."

"Okay." He said getting back to it. "They'd have to be far apart from each other though, too. Very carefully. I think I got it."

"Shoot." Ember said.

"Not really easy to explain. Follow me." So they did as he set out.

He took him to the spots he was thinking following similar logic as canon did. "Very nice placement." Ember said.

"Think it will work?" He asked looking back.

"It should if done right."

"Any changes need to be made? Who is fastest?" Kawino asked.

"Since Ember had to be there and we're talking long distance that would be you."

"Then, I guess I am lighting the fires."

"Does seem like the best choice." Ember said.

"Alright, then we all know what to do?" They both nodded. "Okay then, let's do this."

"You guys still sure?" Kawino asked.

"Yeah, we can do this."

"Alright, then let's get started."

With that he headed for the first fire. From training he was able to get it going fairly quickly then ran towards the second one obviously not wanting to get caught by the other Careers. 'Hope the girls are okay.' He thought. He hadn't heard any cannons though so he knew they were still alive at least. He headed to the second fire and lit it.

Wasting no time he made his way to the third and final fire. He had it lit and headed for the career camp.

On the way back though he came across Ria. "Ria!" He said skidding to a stop.

She looked at him for a while then lowered her spear and said, "Probably should have known you were behind this."

"Well really, who else would it be?" Kawino asked lowering his mace.

"I don't know. I take it you killed Peeta, too?"

Kawino nodded. "I would rather not take about that."

"Oh, well, thank you for that anyways."

"For killing him?" Kawino asked confused.

"Yeah, that boy was so annoying and whiny."

"Well then, I am glad I could help."

She kissed him briefly on the lips and then said simply, "You need to go."

"Why are you letting me?"

"I don't want to kill you. At least not yet."

"Okay, good luck, Ria." He said hugging her before heading off. Just to be safe he made it seem as though he was going somewhere else therefore having to take the long way try to avoid the other Careers.

He ran around then toward the site. There he found Katniss and Ember where directed Ember having already made her trip. They were both well hidden though; he just knew where to look. "Good to see you both." He muttered to himself.

"You as well." Katniss said.

"So, any luck?" He asked.

"Yeah," Ember answered. "Now we just need to wait for them to find no one and return."

"Yeah and then we strike."

"Exactly," Ember nodded.

"Well then patience."

"We know."

"Sorry." He said.

"They must be still looking for the fire starter though."

"Yeah, they could be at it for a while."

"I can wait." Katniss said being a huntress.

"Good, did you manage to get anything major from the pile?"

"I got these." Ember said and held up some tomahawks which for anyone who doesn't know are basically small light axes often used for throwing as a weapon.

"Very nice weapon choice."

"Thank you, I had also got some food and a bowl."

"Good pull then."

"Very," Katniss agreed.

"Thanks." She said.

"Then again, just wait."

"We can eat a little."

"Only if you do." Katniss bargained to Kawino.

"Fine, I will." He said.

"Then yes, lets."

He pulled out some dried fruits from his pack and set them out. Without really even really realizing he was doing it he gave them a lot more than he had himself. "That seems unfair." Ember said.

"What?" He asked then noticed what he had done.

"Oh, right sorry." He said.

"Here," Katniss said and gave Kawino some of hers and Ember did as well making in more even.

"That's better." Ember said.

"Alright," Kawino said looking at the pile in front of him.

"Eat." Katniss said. He took a dried pear and ate it. She smiled and started on her fruit.

It was a while later when the Pack had returned to their camp. "Nothing!" Glimmer grumbled.

"How could they have gotten so far away so fast?" Ria wondered hiding the fact that she found Kawino earlier.

"It must have been Kawino, this strategy is too good."

"He did get allied with that Katniss girl." Macey said since Glimmer and Marvel were off by then.

"You make a fair point." Ria said.

"Someone check the pile." Marvel said.

"You think they took something?" Macey asked.

"They couldn't have." Ria said. "Not with the mines."

"Yeah, you're right." Marvel said.

"You two are going to want to get back to camp." Katniss warned nocking an arrow eyeing the apples.

"What about you?" Ember asked.

"I'll be fine. Someone has to do it."

"Alright, but be careful and get back to us."

"I will." Katniss nodded. "Besides, I'm less likely to get caught alone."

"Yeah, I suppose so." Kawino said as Adra broke from the others to check the careers supplies.

"Go, I've got it." Katniss said seeing the perfect opportunity but not with them there. He nodded and they ran off.

Once they were pretty far off, she shot at the bag of apples. It did not split instantly but it did on the second shot as apples fell to the mines. The real Careers had gotten away alive though most injured but Adra was right in the middle of it so he had no chance of survival.

Not that anyone had heard the canon over the noise. At least Katniss certainly hadn't as just as canon she was blown back and deaf from the explosion. She tried to stand, but failed. Seeing that if she can't even stand she won't be able to make it back to camp she tried to crawl back to her hiding spot or somewhere else to hide knowing the Careers will undoubtedly be pursuing her now.

She hoped the others would be okay. She made it back to her hiding spot hoping it will be enough especially since she won't be able to hear them coming. 'They have to be okay.' She thought staring at the sky. As the sky got dark she drifted off into sleep.

Meanwhile Kawino and Ember had gotten back to their camp having gotten far enough before the explosion happened. "Well, that's it she should be here soon." Kawino said.

She didn't though but the death count in the sky did confirm that she was still alive at least. "Something's wrong." Kawino realized and headed down after her.

"Wait Kawino!" Ember called.

Kawino didn't listen though and just kept running. 'Please be alright,' He thought.

Being Kawino he had no trouble holding his top speed all the way to the hiding spot figuring that was the best place to check first. There she was laying there looking nervous. "Katniss," He said carefully but obviously got no response. Worried he crept closer. "Katniss," He said again but still getting no response grabbed her shoulder.

She jumped and spun around pointing an arrow at him before she noticed it was him. He grabbed the shaft of the arrow out of reflex. Though surprised he looked at her for a few seconds then realized, "Katniss, can you hear me?" She pointed at her ears and shook her head. "Not good." He muttered and tried to help her up. She was very shaky on her feet.

Noticing that he just picked her up completely being glad that he had went and found her since if found she'd be very easy prey to anyone else in this state. He swiftly and silently headed back to the cave.

"I found her." Kawino said once he got back and laid her down on her sleeping bag. "She can't hear or really even stand though."

"What happened?"

"I'd have to guess it was from the explosion."

"Will she ever get better?"

"I think so." He said but couldn't see enough at night to get a good enough assessment.

"Well, I hope so."

"This can't be a good sign though." He noted wiping off some of the blood that was coming out of her left ear.

"Yeah, she is not getting up tonight."

"Right, I'll take first shift."

"Are you sure?" Ember asked.

"Yeah, I had last shift last night so it only makes sense."

"If you say so."

"I do, go ahead and get some sleep." He told her.

"Alright." She sighed. "Just make sure to wake me up half way through."

"I will." He said.

"Okay," Ember said and lay down.

Kawino sighed staring at the crater where the pile had been. He knew from the sky that only Adra had died in the explosion but the others had clearly been badly injured. He could see Marvel appearing to throw a fit in the ashes. "Now we definitely have a target on our back." He realized noticing what they realized from the fires. 'The real game begins,' He thought. He could only hope they really can't find them there. "What if they do?" He wondered.

The obvious answer was that they'd have to fight but would they be enough? With Katniss down, it would be difficult. He sighed wondering how to even go about this. 'If I could get them one at a time, then maybe.' He thought.

'Just have to find a way to separate them.' The fires would likely not work for he had to find another needed to think. 'At least I have half the night to do so. Is that enough time?'

Katniss woke she was not sure how long she had been out. She certainly did notice one thing and that was the she could here out of her right ear again. 'Well that is an improvement.' She thought. She sat up noticing that she wasn't nearly as disoriented either. She still was not at a normal balance yet either. Still, it was at least getting somewhere.

Looking around she saw Kawino sleeping facing her. She felt herself get a little warm but interpreted that differently lying back down. 'He came back for me.' She thought. Now that she thought about it, she did vaguely remember that. He had found her in the hiding spot and carried her. Of course she was very glad for that. Even she had to admit it had been very sweet of him.

Just then Ember looked over and saw she was awake. "Katniss?" Ember asked hopefully. "Can you hear me?"

"Yeah Ember, I can." She said.

"That's great then."

"Only in my right ear though." Katniss added.

"Not as great." She sighed.

"Still an improvement though."

"Yeah, it'll help you survive."

"My odds are still incredibly bad now though."

"Not really."

"Yes really, I'm half deaf, still very disoriented, and now the Careers are out for our blood."

"You still have Kawino," She pointed out.

"That can't last long. There's still only one victor."

"I told you already I am pretty sure he won't hurt you."

"When it comes down to it we won't have a choice though."

"I think he would give up." Ember said.

"You mean...?" She started looked at Ember.

"Yes, I do."

"I don't want him to though."

"I don't think you could stop him."

"I know." Katniss sighed.

"So, it's a tough call either way."

"I guess I can't really blame him for wanting to though." Katniss said looking over at his sleeping form.

"No you really can't. Poor guy."

"Yeah, it's hard to imagine anyone could do any of that stuff to their own child."

"Well, they do not deserve to be called parents."

"No they don't. Not at all. We should probably wake him and plan." Katniss pointed out.

"Right," Ember said and went over giving his good shoulder a good shake and stepped back unsure how he'll react. He shot up glancing around mace ready then saw them and calmed. "Sorry about that."

"No, I'm sorry." He said.

"It's okay." Katniss said.

"No it isn't. I need to stop doing that."

"You're on edge; we all are." Katniss said.

"I guess. It also doesn't help that I'm used to being woken by an arrow to the shoulder."

"Probably not." Katniss said.

"Really?" Ember asked and Kawino simply pulled down his jacket and shirt off of his bad shoulder. "That is just no." She said.

"Yeah, well, that was life for me." He said covering it up. "I mostly just put up with it under the sense that Clove would be safe and kept out of it. Then I guess after her death I just lost any will to even try to fight."

To his surprise Katniss hugged him. "That is awful." Kawino just awkwardly returned the hug unsure what to say.

Ember smiled watching them. 'Curse these games.' She thought of course never daring to say it out loud.

"Thank you, Katniss." He said.

"It's my pleasure, Kawino."

"Sorry, do you two need a moment alone?" Ember asked.

"No, you're fine." Katniss said and they separated. "We need the numbers anyways."

"Right, we are the hunted now." Ember said.

"Exactly," They both nodded.

"At least we took one of them out." Katniss said.

"Yeah, the weakest link." Kawino said.

"It's still a plus." She pointed out.

"I guess."

"It is, and the rest are injured." Ember said.

"Think it will be enough?" Kawino asked.

"It should be if we plan."

"Then let's start." He said not knowing how much time they may or may not have. "Okay, first do we take them together or one on one?"

"One-on-one seems more likely if we could somehow keep the other one out of it. That is the trouble they are unlikely to go for fires."

"Yeah, they'd never fall for that again." He said knowingly.

"So, maybe one of us needs to be seen." Katniss said.

"I guess. That's a dangerous game though."

"We would need to do it right." Katniss said.

"Then that's the point of planning."

"Exactly, first who will be the bait?"

"I will." Kawino said.

"Are you sure that's the best idea?" Ember asked.

"If something goes wrong I would probably stand the best chance."

"Well yeah I suppose that's true."

"So we're in agreement then?"

"Yeah, we are."

"We can't have it be too suspicious though."

"We have to make it seem like they see you on accident."

"Exactly, idea for how to pull that off?"

"Make it look like you are hunting?"

"Okay, I can do that."

"Good, we'll hide and wait nearby."

"Good, let's just hope this works."

"We are." Katniss said.

"When are we going to?"

"In a few hours."

"Fair enough,"

"Until then we rest or try to avoid injury."

"Yeah, that would be bad."

"Yes it would."

"I guess I don't really mind resting though."

"I am going to hunt." Katniss said.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kawino asked worriedly.

"I need to try." She said.

"At least not alone."

"Fine, then come with me."

"I will." He said getting up. Ember smiled a little promising to wait while they were out. "Good, you can keep guard of the camp."

"I will; I promise." She said.

"Good, ready to go then, Katniss?"

"Yeah, I'll lead."

"Okay," He said as she got up teetering slightly but quickly recovering.

"Let's go." She said.

"You sure?" He asked again.

"Yes, I need to do this." She said.

"Okay, let's go then." She nodded and led the way out.

He followed her keeping a close guard out. "Thanks for coming." She said.

"I couldn't let you just head out alone."

"Still I appreciate it."

"Well, I'm glad to."

She blushed a little but smiled. "Can you move here?" She asked motioning to her left.

"Okay." He said.

"Thank you," She said trying to avoid why.

"Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, why?"

"You still seem off," He said.

"Well, I guess I'm not all better."

"Want to tell me what's wrong and why you are acting so odd in general, but especially around me?"

"I'm not sure on that actually."

"On which part?" He asked.

"Why I'm so odd around you."

"Oh, I'm sorry then?" He said confused.

"I don't think that's your fault."

"It's not?" He asked.

"I don't think so at least."

"Okay, well, sorry I make you act odd."

"It's okay."

"It is?" He said getting more confused.

She nodded, "Yes it is."

"I'm used to people being mad if I mess them up."

"Well, I'm not like that."

"I keep forgetting."

"I figured. It must be really hard."

"It is a bit yeah." He said.

"I can't imagine."

"Believe me you don't want to." He said.

"I figured I wouldn't."

"You're really nice." He said.

"To some people."

"To me you are." He said.

"Well, I try to be."

"You do a good job." He said.

"Well, thank you."

"My pleasure." He said blushing a little as he glanced at her.

"I really should be thanking you though." He said.

"Really why?" She asked stopping to look at him.

"For being so nice."

She blushed, "I do not really need thanks." She stammered.

"Well, I guess."

"You know, you're sort of...sweet." She said carefully.

"Well… thank you. Can I tell you something?" He asked.

"Umm… okay…"

"I sort of...have a crush I think it's called on you." He said. Katniss stopped in her tracks turning bright red. "Sorry, that was the wrong thing to say wasn't it?" He asked afraid he had somehow offended her.

"No, it's fine."

"You just seem different now and ya stopped." He said walking so he was standing in front of her.

"It's just… unexpected."

"Oh okay I just thought you should know."

"Well, thank you for telling me." She said awkwardly.

"Should I not have?"

"No, it's fine just… wow."

"Wow what?"

She was at a loss. "It's just I never expected..." She stammered.

"It's okay that was uncalled for." Kawino sighed.

"No, no it's okay," She said.

"It is?"

"Yeah it's fine."

"Um… okay…" He said awkwardly.

"Yeah, let's just hunt." She said. He nodded and they went on now things being very awkward. 'He really does like me.' She thought. 'That would be better if I could sort out my own though.' As she thought shot a squirrel. It was a little off still hitting and killing it but not straight through the eye. She knew now she was off.

She tried to shake away the cobwebs before collecting the squirrel. Still his admission was surprising. There were also the issues that only one of them could live and she had never really thought of anyone that way before. 'Do I really like him that way?' That was a question that didn't seem to want to go away. So much so she nearly missed another squirrel.

'Come on, Katniss. Get yourself together.' She mentally lectured worked but not much.

"Maybe we should just head back." Katniss said.

"Yeah we should." He said. "It's okay you know. You're still injured."

"Yeah that must be it."

"Yeah, I know how hard it can be to shoot with any kind of injury."

"Right, I just need to heal." She said.

"Yeah, so come on then." She nodded and they headed back.

"Back so soon?" Ember asked once they got there.

"Yeah, my ear is still throwing me off." Katniss said.

"Your ear?" Kawino asked having still been asleep.

"My left ear is still deaf."

"Oh no," He breathed realizing why she had him go to that side.

"Yes, sorry for not telling you."

"I'm not mad. I should have figured it out anyways."

"Well still." She said.

"I said I'm not mad."

"You should be." She sighed.

"Well, you should be mad at me but neither of us is."

"Yeah, I guess. Let's just move on." She said.

"To what?"

"Trapping the careers."

"Right, that now?"

"Yes." Katniss said.

"Okay, let's get to work then."

"Right now we want to set up near their camp not ours." He said.

"Of course," Ember nodded.

"So, I say on their south side."

"That sounds about right."

"Its closest to us but not too close."

"Plus we know the area a lot better than if we went for the drop-off assuming there's even anything there."

"Exactly, and we can pick them off." Kawino said.

"Sounds like a plan."

"Good, let's go then."

They headed down.

"First find hiding spots."

"Right," He nodded. He waited for them to be hidden. Once he was sure they were, he made his way close being careful he made it look like he was hunting.

Marvel was the first to spot him. "There he is!" Marvel called out. They all turned and went after him.

'That's right come get me.' He thought. He broke off leading them to where he knew Katniss and Ember were hiding.

They followed with Macey being the fastest now in the lead of the pack. Kawino was faster though and stopped right when Katniss and Ember came out. "There are three of them?" Macey realized stopping in her tracks. She back tracked and started to run toward the others as Katniss prepared a poison arrow and fired the head hit Macey's thigh.

With the nightlock poison she hit the ground. Almost instantly after that a cannon went off, she was gone. "Anyone else?" Katniss asked nocking another arrow. Now the numbers were even. The other careers backed off. "Good, now get out of here." They bolted.

"I'd say that was a success." Kawino noted.

"Ten left." Katniss said

"Seven enemies, breaking down pretty fast."

"Yeah, crazy."

"I guess not really though, it's still the fourth day."

"Yeah, but this is pretty fast even so."

"Really only the bloodbath and you can't have it take too long either."

"They won't pull us together yet."

"Not with how it's going."

"We are doing a good enough job you mean?"

"I think there have been enough deaths to keep them from getting too bored."

"Yeah, I agree."

"Think we should head back?"

"Yes, we are done here." She nodded and they headed back to their own camp.

"Productive few days."

"Very much so."

"We make a great team."

"I think so, too. What about when it gets too low though?"

"I suppose then we split." Kawino sighed.

"Does sound best, instead of the way the Pack usually does it."

"Turn when there are few and kill each other?"

"Yeah, sounds a lot better than that."

"Agreed." Kawino said.

"I really don't want to have to kill you, Katniss."

Katniss went red at that and said, "I do not want to kill you either."

"Then hopefully we can avoid that for as long as possible." He said.

"Yeah," She sighed.

"You'll get through." He said.

"What about you?" He did not have a response for that. "Of course," She sighed looking down.

"Again, I'm sorry." He said as they kept walking.

"It's okay."

Ember sighed the next few days were going to be awkward. The rest of the games likely even until one of them are dead. The worst part was she was starting to not want either of them dead. She knew that wasn't a choice though. 'Damn these games!' She thought again.

You heard her folks, damn them. Well, if they weren't so darn fun. To write and read anyways, not so much to play. Plus, if it weren't for them Katniss and Kawino would have never met in the first place being from different districts and all and Kawino being Mantear and Drusus' little prisoner. Anyways, review, I really want good quality reviews with what we did right AND wrong if you can but any review is acceptable.