Cato

The train ride to 12 was quiet and calm. Father had left Juna in Enobaria's care and was accompanying me to 12. It seemed like he wanted to tell me something, but all he did was read his book.

"Cato?"

"Yes, Father?" I looked up from a few old blueprints.

"What do we do?" He asked, setting his book aside.

We who? We as men? We as humans?

"We? Who's we?"

"We as a family. Not the Cohere side, but the Arckenson side. What do we do? What are the words of our family?" He asked and I put the papers away.

"A king is only as strong as his people," I repeated the age old words that had been passed down within our family.

"Right. So, what happens when the people become stronger but the king does not? What would we call that?"

"A revolt?"

"No, a rebellion. There's a rebellion coming, and we have to prepare for it," He said and I nodded. We needed to be prepared for what was to come.

But what will the President throw at you?

~'~'~'~

When the train stopped, father stood and looked out the window.

"My... it hasn't changed one bit," He murmured and stepped off of the train where a small crowd was waiting. I followed behind him and we walked down the steps to where Katniss, her family, and Haymitch were.

It's been over 10 years for him andyet he knows more people than you.

"Father, I'd like you to meet the Victors and sole Mentors of District 12, Katniss Everdeen and Haymitch Abernethy," I introduced them. "Katniss, Haymitch, this is my father, Domitius Flavian Arckenson the first of his name and Grand Weapons Master of the Capitol.

They shook hands as per custom and father grinned at Haymitch.

"You're the one that tried to grope Kelsa and got your wrist broken. Ha! She had some choice words to say to you about that!" He laughed and Haymitch chuckled and nodded.

"Don't wait up, Cato. Your Father and I are getting drinks," He said and clapped a hand onto Faher's back. My jaw nearly dropped.

How does- what?! Your father and... what?! The fact that Haymitch has a friend like your father...

I turned and saw Katniss smile. I pulled her into my ars and kissed her forehead.

"I missed you," I whispered and she back, I shook her mother's hand. "Cato Arckenson. That was my father back there," I said and she smiled.

"I'm Katniss' mom. This is Prim," She put a hand on her shoulder. I smiled shook both of their hands.

"Gale," I grinned and shook his hand. "Been a while huh?"

"Your grip has slackened. You getting old?" He asked and I shook my head.

"Still young,"

Again. It seems like you're only friends with immediate people! Just people close to you and no one else.

We walked from the train station to the Victor's Village. My house faced Katniss' and I went to put my bags in my house.

"Cato, dinner is at our house and your father is welcome to attend." Katniss' mother said and I nodded.

Peeta's body's probably being given to his parents. No more bakery goods for you.

I looked around the house and sighed. Living alone had it's perks at times, but other times it was just boring.

Walking back to Katniss' house, I saw that Father was already seated next to Haymitch. Haymitch was drunk and Father remained sober.

We had a stew made with what Katniss caught in the woods. There were mashed turnips and bread that went with the stew. I thought it was delicious considering how little it took to make it.

Well there's nothing to do but be creative in 12.

"So, Cato, you're going to return to 2 for the Quarter Quell?" Mrs. Everdeen asked and Katniss looked up. I coughed and nodded.

"Yes, but I'm not going to mentor this year. It'll be Graff Varss and Harsk Fletcher." I said. We continued to eat and when dinner was over, Father excused himself and walked back to my house. Haymitch stumbled out the door and towards town.

Still find it hard to believe your father- no, that Haymitch is friends with your father.

Soon it was just Mrs. Everdeen and me in the kitchen she gave me a look and frowned.

"If you ever hurt my daughter, I will find a way to hurt you in the same way," She said quietly and I felt a chill run down my spine. She was nearly a foot shorter than I, but Mrs. Everdeen had a gaze that would melt ice.

"I wouldn't dream of it," I said and Katniss pulled me over to where the living room was. I met her sister and we spoke about Katniss' outfits.

~'~'~'~

The next day, I went into town and passed by the bakery. It was closed. Mrs. Quinston gave me a sad look when I passed by her window.

Cinna and Katniss' prep team had arrived and they were working their chemicals. I was thrown into the shower, scrubbed with a weird rock and sent on my way. They stuffed me into a suit and we were told to pretend we just saw each other after my being away.

You should spin her. Audiences love spinning.

"Alright! Cameras! Ready... action!" The camera man yelled and Katniss and I jogged towards eacfh other. Grabbing her around the waist, I spun her small body around and pulled her into my arms.

Katniss kissed me and smiled. "I missed you," she said and I managed a grin.

"I did too," I said and kissed her again.

"And cut! Good work!" The director shouted and we dispersed.

That wasn't so bad.

No, it wasn't.

I put an arm around Katniss and led her into her house. Prim was waiting inside with blankets and hot chocolate. I too a mug and patted her head. Prim blushed and ran off.

"You know, the Victory Tour's going to be hard. Katniss, you need to be mentally prepared to face the families. They're going to be angry," I said and she nodded.

"How was yours?"

"I was attacked."

"Which district was that?" She asked and I scratched my chin.

"12 and... I think it was 11. I killed a lot of people in that arena," I said and Katniss nodded, leaning her head on my shoulder. She sighed and took my hand in hers.

"It's... we were forced to," She said and I kissed the top of her head.

"I love you," I said and she smiled.

"I love you too."

~'~'~'~

The Victory Tour began in District 1. Katniss wore a dress and presented a speech. I watched from a window as she managed to finish her speech.

"She did it," Haymitch said and Cinna nodded.

At least she didn't throw up.

"I'm worried about 11. She was close to that little girl... Sue or something," I said and Haymitch snorted.

"Idiot, it was Cue," He said as Effie led Katniss back inside.

It wasn't Sue or Cue. It was Boo.

Shows how much I care, I thought. I wrapped an arm around Katniss and she nodded.

"To District 2 we go. I have so many things to show you," I led her into the car.

"So, for the Quarter Quell, would we be going against each other?" She asked.

Hm... no.

"No. I'm not going to Mentor next year," I replied and her face fell.

"How will we see each other?" Katniss asked as Effie told the driver to go. I cleared my throat and ran a hand through my hair.

"We might not be able to." I muttered and straightened my collar. Katniss' nodded and sighed. I looked outside and saw all of the people of 1 going about their day to day activities.

We boarded the train and soon it was time for me to show Katniss my home.

"So, do you have a house?" Katniss asked and I nodded.

"We have a very large house behind a mountain. I'll take you there," I smiled and Katniss pecked my cheek.

"Are you two done making babies?!" Haymitch asked and I stared at him. Katnis' jaw dropped.

"We weren't-"

"During the Dark Days, there was a story about a deity that gave birth to his daughter through his skull," I was surprised at Haymitch's knowledge.

"He? He gave birth?" Katniss asked and I nodded.

"It's called a myth and Zeus played a trick on his wife. He swallowed her while she was with child and she gave birth while inside his head. The resulting child grew up and broke free from Zeus' skull."

"That's... well, you know what? that's not the strangest thing I've heard about the Dark Days."

Oh? Do tell.

"Let's hear it," I said and she nodded.

"Well, my teacher taught me this a few years ago and I might not remember everything. So, archaeologists dug up this long rectangular box. It was like a plastic coffin. After they studied it, they saw that it emitted UV rays. They punished people by frying them and giving them cancer," She explained and Effie gasped.

"How cruel! I bet they upgraded the tanning bed to do that. Lousy piece of work."

Uh-huh. right on, Effie.

"That's a fascinating topic, but what I want to know about is the Arckenson-Cohere Mansion," Haymitch said and Effie nodded.

"Tell us about your house," She giggled and suddenly I felt awkward.

Not much to tell aside from the fact that it's fucking huge.

"Er... it's behind a mountain and very large. It has twenty rooms and-"

"Twenty rooms?!" Haymitch choked and looked at me. "I knew you were loaded but not that loaded!"

"Well, twenty bedrooms, a ballroom, a library, and other things."

Other things.

"That's... wow," Haymitch said and Effie nodded.

"You're very lucky," She said and I shook my head.

"Living under the same roof as Enobaria Cohere is not lucky," I scoffed and Effie looked like she was about to swoon.

"Living under the roof of Junallia Cohere, Enobaria Cohere, and you. I envy your sister and father," Effie smiled and my lip curled.

"Absolutely."

The country raced by and I walked to my bedroom compartment. After changing into a less dressy shirt and pants, I walked to the dining car to grab a bite to eat.

Katniss was in the car pouring a glass of whiskey.

"Didn't know you took whiskey," I said and she laughed.

"Well, you and Haymitch are always drinking. You less than him, but you still drink."

She's going to fall over on her face.

"Are you sure you're not going to put a bit of water in that?" I asked and she shook her head.

"You don't."

Cato's been trained to withstand an avalanche, of course he doesn't take water with his drink.

"I've been trained against a lot of substances," Katniss pursed her lips and nodded.

"Well let's see if I can-" she gulped the drink down and cringed. Her voice was hoarse and cracked when she finally spoke. "That's terrible."

I couldn't contain the smirk on my face. "I told you so," I grinned and Katniss inhaled two cups of water.

"Well, I'm never touching that stuff again," She said and I nodded.

"Best if you stay away from stuff like that," I said.

Yes, don't want her to turn into female Haymitch while you're away.

Peeta

I opened my eyes and saw a chandelier. It hung from the ceiling and reflected sunlight from the window.

"Where..." I murured and sat up. A tube was strapped to my arm and it was conected to a large machine that made a small whirring noise.

"So you're awake?" A voice asked and President Snow stepped forward from an adjoining room.

"P-President Snow... Where am I? Where's Katniss?" I asked and he nodded his head.

"I'll tell you all in good time, but for now, you need rest. I-"

"No! Where's Katniss?" I demanded.

"Ms. Everdeen is in District 12 with her family," He said and I frowned.

"Then why am I here?" I was perplexed.

"Because I prevented your death. Peeta, Katniss has moved on. She's with Cato Arckenson, and I need your help," I was aghast.

"She- she's with that monster?" I asked and the President nodded.

"There's a lot you have to get caught up on."