Well, I'm a day late and I'm sorry about that. It's Wednesday in my head, good enough? Enjoy Chapter Six and as always, thank you to my reviewers and followers.

JHutchGirl: First off, amazing username. Gotta love some Josh Hutcherson, right. And secondly, thank you for reading and reviewing! Glad you came back to see my story and read it and liked it.

Through Darkness and Light: I call it Peeto too but Potato is fun. And you spurted joy and rainbows, I laughed so hard. Thank you for reading and reviewing! Hope to see more Peeto/Potato work from you!

BrittBrat03: Of course you're loving it. If you didn't, well, I know where you sleep.

mmleach: The loving takes a while to happen, I will explain that now. I wanted to pace it and make it more realistic so it's long off, when the loving finally happens. Thank you for reading and reviewing!

MangoMagic: What I was going for in the ending, with the word Comforting, was that Peeta felt reassured that he could kill, that he could do it and that he could actually protect himself. It was comforting to come to that knowledge. And as for him handling his first kill, well, he knows he has to do it to try and win so there's no point in fretting over it. I love the star scene too. Thank you for reading and reviewing!

SakuraDrops141: Evil rambling, lol. I won't mind seeing more of that. I'm glad you're enjoying it, thank you for reviewing!

Enjoy guys.

Chapter Six.

They return to the camp, the sun slowly beginning to raise above the horizon, casting rays of light across the arena and lightening up the clearing. Cato kills the fire as Peeta falls to his butt on one of the containers. The run to the girl and the feelings he got when killing her were wearing him down. He feels horrible he actually didn't regret it, he actually found it kind of nice, like anger he was getting out. And the best part: everyone was seeing how strong he was, that he could do this. But still, he wonders if he's feeling the right thing. He glances at Cato and doesn't want to turn out like him. After all, he doesn't want the Games to change him but... what if the Games are helping him find the real person he is? Is he really suppose to be a cold-hearted, killing machine, like the Careers? No, he doesn't believe that. No, he's suppose to be a strong person, he's suppose to be someone that can prove to the world he can kill and win this. That's who he is. He's a winner, he will be a Victor. He'll prove them all wrong, especially his mother. His mother, most of all.

"I'm going back to bed!" Clove yells over her shoulder as she heads that way. Glimmer begins to follow her lead, Marvel shaking his head and sitting down on one of the containers. Three stays where he's sitting on the container, eyes on the ground. Peeta feels kind of bad for him; he must feel so out of place. Peeta should feel that way but he doesn't. After he had said how his first kill felt, Cato had grabbed his shoulder again and squeezed, Clove actually smiled at him, Marvel had nodded, and Glimmer looked like she wanted to jump Peeta.

Thank god she didn't, he didn't see Glimmer that way at all. She was very beautiful but Peeta was realizing he liked muscles in place of soft curves, short hair in place of long, and impossibly blue eyes in place of any other. He keeps telling himself that it isn't Cato but hell, it was so obviously Cato, it almost hurt. He didn't understand how he can be attracted to someone like Cato but then again, wasn't he beginning to turn into something twisted? He did kill a girl and was perfectly fine with it. The only thing wrong was that he was ready to pass out. He's ready to stand up and follow the two girls, just get in a short nap, but Cato's yell stops him from doing that.

"The hell you are! You'll be wasting daylight. You got your sleep in. Today, we're packing bags and hunting." Cato demands and looks at Three. "You'll stay here and watch the camp." that grin twists onto his lips. "If we come back and anything's fucked up, well... it won't end well for you, will it?" he chuckles as Three shakes visibly and nods, keeping his eyes down casted.

"Come on, Cato! After all, your Lover boy looks like he's ready to pass out," Clove says, her tone becoming mocking as she looks at Peeta.

Peeta looks at Cato, his brows furrowing. His Lover boy? What was that about? Was it the secret eye-conversation they had? Or had they talked in the tent? Cato's furious face shows that he's not too happy with Clove. "My Lover boy? What shit are you spewing now? He can fucking stay awake and so can your lazy asses so let's get our stuff together and GO!" he yells, approaching Clove so fast, it made Peeta jump. He puts the tip of his sword to her cheek and Peeta gapes as he sees Clove pull a knife and aim it at Cato's gut. They're staring each down and it's obvious Glimmer and Marvel are staying out of this. Actually, they both walk off, doing the awkward dance and grabbing backpacks and beginning to load them. They probably won't care if Cato kills Clove. Because it's going to be Cato killing Clove. Not Clove killing Cato.

If Clove even tries- Peeta stops his thoughts as he raises to his feet. Why was he having those protective thoughts over Cato? No, he shouldn't be having those. But, he did want to keep Cato to himself. He wants to be the one to end Cato's beating heart. The two are still staring at each other, Cato pressing his sword forward and Clove presses her knife forward. The tip of her knife disappears into his jacket and Peeta can see blood beginning to streak down Clove's cheek. He's afraid Clove has pierced Cato. No, he has to be the one to kill Cato. To take him down. Not Clove. Cato was Peeta's kill. Peeta was determined to have Cato's blood all over his hands.

His thoughts are dark but he doesn't care. He's changing in here, maybe into the person he was suppose to be all along, and he'll accept that change. But he won't accept one thing. A part of him is telling him he doesn't want Clove to stab Cato and end him because he likes Cato and is attracted to him. He doesn't listen to that part as he throws his spear into the air and catches it. It suddenly feels right in his hand and he's glad he practiced with the spears. He tosses it after a quick aim. He isn't intending to hit Clove and so it hits right on the mark when it grazes her shoulder, catching her jacket and jerking her arm back, the knife leaving Cato's jacket. From where Peeta is standing, he doesn't see blood on the tip of it. It's deathly silent suddenly, as Clove stands there, staring in shock at Peeta, the spear behind her, a piece of her jacket under its sharp tip. Cato turns to look at him and that grin is twisting onto his lips. He can feel the others eyes drilling into his back.

"Turning on each other won't help anything. We need each other to take down Katniss." he announces but they all know why he really did it; he was protecting Cato. If he was really trying to stop them, he would have attempted to hit Cato as well, not just Clove. And also catching Clove's jacket and forcing her knife away from Cato gave it all away. And Peeta was fine with it. Let them think he put his loyalty and trust into Cato, when he hasn't. Let Cato think that.

"Lover boy's right," Cato announces, giving Clove a look that told her to step back and not speak out again. He twirls his sword in his hand and keeps his eyes locked on Peeta, that grin still twisted on his lips. "Let's hurry up and get our stuff together!" he snaps then, glaring at Clove.

Clove glares at him and then turns the nastiest glare onto Peeta. Peeta tenses a little. He just made an enemy. They already could have been considered his enemies though. After all, he was planning on turning on all them, before they do the same to him. Clove walks over to the pile of goodies, doing the awkward dance and joining with Glimmer and Marvel in getting their things together. He can tell they're talking and if there's anything to take from Clove's tense shoulders, it's that she's pissed. Peeta jerks a little as he feels something lightly hit his head. He looks over, realizing Cato was handing his spear back to him. Slowly, he takes it, watching as Cato eyes him up and down before their eyes lock.

"You've proven yourself, 12," he says, his voice a deep rumble that sends a shiver down Peeta's spine and makes his knees weak. He was enjoying the time he didn't feel this way around the Career.

"Yeah, for you. The others are probably plotting my death," Peeta deadpans, rolling his eyes.

Cato chuckles. "Only Clove." he says, shooting an annoyed look that way. "But remember, Lover boy... I can take care of myself."

Peeta stares at him with an annoyed look. Really? He helps Cato and Cato tells him to basically back off, he's got this? He rolls his eyes. "Next time, I'll let you get stabbed," he says harshly, glaring up at the taller boy.

Cato's eyes flashes as he glares down at Peeta. "I wasn't going to get stabbed and I don't need anybody's help."

"A simple thank you works fine, Cato."

"12, don't you fucking make me-"

"We're all ready!" Glimmer sing-songs, throwing a backpack at Peeta and Cato.

Cato glowers at Peeta, his eyes not leaving him as he catches the black backpack. Peeta has to look away to catch his and even then, it socks him in the chest pretty good, making the air leave him. He looks up at Cato and returns the glare. "I'm going to help you, deal with it," Peeta hisses lowly, so the others wouldn't overhear.

Cato's eyes change for a split second, the emotions shift and Peeta catches it; relief. Cato was relieved Peeta had said he was going to help him, that Peeta said he had his back. Peeta isn't sure what to think about it because the hardness is back, the sharpness. "Be sure to not get in my way." he snaps, shouldering the backpack and stepping away, looking at the others, who were ready to get moving.

Peeta shoulders his backpack, shaking his head. Why had Cato been relieved? Peeta knows he could take care of himself. He just wanted to prove he trusted Cato, a lie that everyone was believing, even Cato. Was Cato actually... scared? Scared to be alone in this thing? No, no. Cato and scared didn't go together. But... it was possible and Peeta wouldn't let that theory slip from his mind. He swore he had heard fear in Cato's voice by the fire last night but that could have possibly been from Peeta's lack of sleep and he was just hoping Cato has some human feelings. "All right, Lover boy," Clove sneers at Peeta, "Where's the Girl on Fire?"

Peeta bites his tongue. He can't tell them about the snare, they'll bitch him out for not mentioning it at the time he saw it. So how can he lead them that way without giving it away he saw something? Then again... "I saw one of her snares last night. And before anyone goes and yells at me, we had to come back here to get supplies to really begin the hunt. That's why I didn't say anything. I know her; she's probably still in that area. She wouldn't move far unless she knew there was danger." he explains quickly before one of them can interrupt.

"But we were around there and we're danger," Glimmer brings up and Peeta gives her a small glare. The girl was blonde and boobs but she was clever.

"I doubt she moved. She probably thinks we're throwing a party here," he says, shrugging. "And it's somewhere to start."

"He's right; it's somewhere to start." Cato says. Peeta's surprised; Cato didn't say anything about him keeping his mouth shut last night. He doesn't even look bothered by it. Maybe he was grateful that Peeta helped him. Maybe.

They set off, Peeta sticking to the back, the others stomping through the forest, laughing, not caring if their presence was announced. When they weren't fighting- no, when Cato wasn't yelling at them and announcing his dominance, they just seemed like a group of kids from Peeta's school. Having fun, laughing, playfully knocking into one another. But there was something different about this scene: they were talking about killing, laughing about deaths, and they were Careers, not a group of kids from school. He stayed back, more on alert, eyes searching the trees. He knows Katniss would be in the trees. She proved her climbing skills during training and she would have an advantage in the trees.

He keeps this to himself, not sure how far he wants to go betraying Katniss. He knows Katniss should be long gone from that snare and part of him hopes they don't find her. Another part, the stronger one that wants to prove to everyone he can win, wants to find her and kill her himself. He's supposed to be in-love with her, though. How can he be having such twisted thoughts? He was in-love with Katniss... no, he cared for her in some way. He wasn't sure what being in-love was anymore. He just knows that a part of him will always dislike Katniss, always envy her, and always want her gone. But a bigger part cares for her, doesn't want to see her hurt. He isn't sure if that part is in-love with her or just sees her as a friend. He nearly runs into Glimmer's back, his mind off in another world.

"All right, 12," Cato says, turning back to look at Peeta. "You last saw her snare around here. Where do you think she would have gone?"

Peeta pauses, all eyes on him. "Water." he says, remembering what Haymitch said. Water was their new best friend and if her backpack had no water in it, that's where she would be. He isn't dumb, perhaps like his mother thinks. Training helped his knowledge of the outdoors and Haymitch did too. He'll know where Katniss is. Cato hushes everybody and listens, concentration on his face. Peeta listens, trying to figure out what Cato is hearing. And then he hears it; the faint whoosh of a river. The others realize it just as he does.

The playfulness returns and they head towards the sound, acting like a group of teenagers again. Peeta, this time, stays on alert, eyes searching every tree, every piece of ground they pass. He knows Katniss is near. He can feel it. He still isn't sure how to feel about this. What if they do find her? That small part of him is hoping they do but a larger part is telling him he's crazy, he doesn't want her found. Maybe he doesn't. He doesn't want her hurt, doesn't want her dead... right? His feelings were so confusing, so all over the place. The river is louder and they're stepping onto big slabs of rock that extend over the water now. He feels the shift in the air as Cato hoots and the others begin to cheer. "Girl on Fire!" Cato yells, turning back to give Peeta a approving look.

Oh shit, Katniss really is near here. He quickly steps to the side to see past the others and sees Katniss in the water. She spots them and she's darting out of the water, climbing up some rocks and heading towards the forest. "Not so fast, Girl on Fire!" Cato yells and the chase begins.

Peeta manages to keep up, his thoughts in a whirl. He was worried, he knows that. He doesn't want Katniss hurt. Maybe he wants Katniss hurt at his hands, not somebody else's. He wants to prove he can do it, he can win, and there's only one Victor. But could he hurt Katniss? Kill her, even? Maybe it would be better if the Careers did it for him. By the time they spot her, she's scaling a tree at a quick pace, reminding Peeta of a squirrel. It's a tall tree with a large trunk and Peeta knows she'll go to the very top just to get away. He grits his teeth. He feels a bit angry she's getting out of their hands so easily but also relieved. His emotions are all over the place by the time she pauses, hands grasping the trunk, feet balanced on a thick branch, and looks down at them. Peeta looks away when her eyes ghost over him, looking down at his spear.

"How's everything with you?" she's amused. She knows it's going to be hard knocking her down from the tree but the Careers are determined animals who always get their piece of meat. Cato proves this by letting out a noise close to a growl.

"Just dandy," he yells up at her and rolls his eyes. "Yourself?"

"It's been a bit warm for my taste," she says, still amused. Peeta knows they're all just bursting with anger at the seams. She's mocking them. Nobody mocks the Careers. There goes Katniss again, making another dumb choice. But dumb choices got her all the attention before and so, this will probably work out in her favor. "The air's better up here. Why don't you come on up?"

"I think I will," Cato snaps, anger lacing every word. He has to be the most angry about it. Peeta would never say it out loud but Cato actually seemed pretty sensitive when it came to jabs at himself. He must of saw Peeta throwing the spear at Clove a knock at his strength and ability to fight. He's seeing Katniss' mockery as a jab at his ego, his ability to scale a tree and kill the Girl on Fire.

"Do you want these, Cato?" Glimmer says, motioning to the bow and arrows. Peeta can tell, even from down here, the anger and shock that crosses Katniss' face. She didn't know Glimmer had the bow and arrows. He almost feels amusement. Almost.

"No," he scoffs, brushing her off and grabbing his sword at his belt. He twirls it in his hand, nearly catching Clove in the face. She scowls at him but says nothing. "I have what I need." he jumps at the tree, hoisting himself up and Katniss is off, going another branch up and stopping, to watch. Cato was doing a decent job, he was much slower than Katniss, but he was also bigger and heavier. He grunts as he pulls himself up, his eyes glancing back and they lock with Peeta's briefly. His brows furrow as he looks up and Peeta isn't sure what he saw; he's feeling so many different things. And so, when his right hand latches onto a small branch that doesn't look trusting, Peeta has a feeling he might have done it on purpose and he really doesn't need to add that to his confusing thoughts. The snap sounds like the loudest thing at the time as Cato slips and falls, hitting the ground with a hard thud. Peeta jolts, nearly going to him and asking if he was okay. Who cares if he was okay, Peeta tells himself, looking up at Katniss, he'll have to die eventually. Maybe he broke his neck.

"Fuck, fuck, shit." Cato snaps as he gets to his feet. He looks like a pissed-off child about to throw a really big fit. He keeps cursing, getting louder, and finally, Glimmer shuts him up.

"I got this," she snaps, notching an arrow in place and taking aim. Was she as skilled as Katniss, Peeta wonders and shakes his head. Nobody was as skilled as Katniss. This is proven when the arrow whizzes past Katniss' head. She jerks and nearly falls backwards but she wraps her arms around the trunk just in time.

"Keep trying!" Cato snaps at Glimmer, fists clenched so tight around the handle of his sword, his knuckles are turning white, his face is a bright red and he's clenching and unclenching his jaw. He looks like a bull ready to ram. Glimmer huffs and shoots another arrow, narrowly missing Katniss again. But Katniss jerks again and this time, her foot slips. Everyone seems to suck in a breath as her own weight knocks her off balance on the branch. She lets out a small noise of fear as she sways and catches onto a branch, hidden in the leaves. She's posed, one foot on the thick branch, the other dangling, her hand supporting her body with the smaller branch.

"This is our chance!" Cato hisses and brief confusion crosses his face when Katniss lets out a pained yell. She suddenly jumps, her other hand catching a stronger-looking branch, but her other arm shoots out, yanking on something. There's a loud snap and something's falling through the trees, crashing down and with a jolt of fear, Peeta realizes what it is as it comes in view. The papery gray surface, the loud buzzing... it's wasps. But these are the Games and so he knows they aren't normal wasps. It looks like a giant, strange colored egg and the thing lands directly on top of Glimmer, cracking open, a large swarm of insects bursting out in anger.

Peeta doesn't have a second thought as he turns and runs.

...

And there's Chapter Six! I hope you all enjoyed it and will review, they make my day, week, month, life, blah blah blah. QUESTION OF THE CHAPTER TIME!

If your District partner was like Katniss, getting all the attention and such, would you want to kill them or let someone else take care of it? Or would you want them to not die at all?

Thank you for reading! Until next time, lovelies. Much love, LW.