A/N: Whew! I can't believe I went that long without writing! Really, I was writing, but it wasn't for this story...I'm publishing an original story on FictionPress! Check out my profile for more details. :) Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Training

"Up, up, up," Effie chimes. It's going to be a big, big, big day, I finish in my head. "Come on, Katniss, everyone else is up and we're about to start breakfast." I'm normally an early riser, but that's also because I get up early to hunt. When there is nothing important to do and it's unneccessary to be up at the crack of dawn, I tend to sleep in for an hour or two. Peeta offered to take the tributes down to the Training Center and there is nothing for the mentors to do today. "Katniss," Effie chirps repeatedly.

I reach for something to chuck at the door and the first thing my hand grasps is a small alarm clock. The Capitol people set it for when they need to rise earlier than noon and when it rings, it wakes them up. I've never used one, but I hear Effie's small shriek as it hits the door panelling. She doesn't call for me to come to breakfast anymore. I'm awake now, I think sullenly. I might as well get up and make an appearance. I slink over to the door and pick up the tiny, digital clock. Six thirty-nine. I scoff. On a normal day, I would have just slid under the fence and set out on my trek through the woods to check my snares. I don't shoot anything until eight or so, when the animals start to go about their day. I sigh and long for the next time I'll be allowed to roam about the woods as I please. I worry that before long, they'll want Peeta and I in the Capitol full-time. I can't bear to think what I'll do then.

"Katniss," Peeta says. "I know you're up. I need your advice on something." I'm already standing and I open the door almost immediately. He's not facing the door frame, but the hallway to the kitchen. "What was that, Effie? Four seconds?" he calls down the hall, taunting everyone at the breakfast table. I hear Cinna's warble over the laughing of everyone else. They probably bet to see who could get me up the fastest. Effie huffs as I stalk grouchily in the dining room.

"Since today is the first day of training," Peeta says, his facial features relaxing as the laughter dies out, "focus on survival skills. Knot tying, edible plants, that sort of thing. Me and Katniss can teach you some fighting skills, but you'll have to know how to stay alive to use them." At this point, I wish I'd had Peeta as a mentor last year. Of course, Peeta probably couldn't communicate with me as well as Haymitch did, but he's likeable enough to get sponsors and his mind is a lot sharper than Haymitch's.

"Right," I agree. "If you can make it past the initial bloodbath, then we have a good shot at keeping you alive."

"We can't sign pledges from sponsors until the night of the interviews," Peeta explains. "I know it's too early to factor in training scores and interview highlights, but you two have decent odds. If you score high enough to attract attention in training, we'll be able to get more money for your supplies." I nod in affirmation as they take this information in. "Be sure to meet a few other tributes as well. They may give you a second chance in the arena." I can tell he is looking at me out of the corner of his eye.

"The Career Tributes probably won't be interested in associating with anyone else," I say, thinking of how the Career pack was eager to take in Peeta so they could hunt me. "But you'll definitely want someone to watch your back, if only for a little while." Everyone is quiet for the next few minutes, between finishing breakfast and digesting what advice Peeta and I have offered.

"Okay!" Effie says, breaking the silence. "Peeta, if you'll take Lenora and Kade down to the Training Center, Katniss and I can work on strategies for the interviews."

Peeta nods and rises to show them to the elevator. I shift in my seat, knowing Effie will shoot my idea down instantly. Peeta and I made a list on the Victory Tour called Effie's Rules. Rule Number One: Always smile. Rule Number Two: Always be punctual. The list goes on until we reached ten and decided to turn in for the night. Number Ten was always be humble and courteous.

I imagine how Haymitch behaved in his interview. He surely couldn't have been very courteous of the Capitol. I wonder what color Caesar's hair was that year? What were his odds? What was the arena like? I haven't wanted to talk to Haymitch this badly since I was in the Games.

"Alright, Katniss," Effie begins. "Peeta said something about mentoring them separately. I've noticed he's taken a natural initiative with Lenora. Are you okay with mentoring—?" Here's my chance. If I don't tell her now, I won't.

"Kade? Yes, I need to talk to you about his interview strategy," I say. "He's not comical or vulnerable. The only thing he seems to be able to do is be honest. He didn't volunteer for his sister, so I don't think the Capitol will be interested in the truth. I was thinking he could be a fighter, a bit like Haymitch, really." I don't know why I threw that last part in, but it doesn't seem to effect Effie. It's clear she hasn't made a decision yet. I can't blame her. Haymitch is spunky, rude, and careless—everything Effie isn't.

"Effie, how well did Haymitch do in his interviews?" I'm trying to persuade her that if Haymitch could get enough sponsors to win, his personality may not have been a bad thing. "He probably wasn't considered a stellar tribute, but the Capitol must've liked his attitude for him to win."

"If you're suggesting that he acts a pig in front of—"

"Look, I'm not saying he needs to fall off the stage or anything, but he's not happy to be here, and it shows," I say. "We should at least not force him into a persona. It clearly didn't work for me. You remember how much trouble Haymitch had. He gave up!" She takes a deep breath and flutters her fuchsia eyelashes. "Okay." It's not quite acceptance, but it's an agreement.

We couldn't have two tributes that were any more different. Their acts would be completely opposite. One friendly young girl, eager to be here, and one cold young man, who despised being here with all of his being.

"Peeta!" Effie cries suddenly. "Peeta, what's wrong?"

I whip around to see Peeta stumbling out of the elevator, shuffling over to us. I stand and rush to help him sit down. There's blood covering his mouth, spurting from his nose. "What happened?" I demand, feverishly wiping the blood away from his face. I tilt him forward and hand him a handkerchief from the table. If the blood rushes backward, he won't be able to breathe and it will fill his lungs.

"Brutus," he mumbles through the cloth.

A/N: AAH! Cliffhanger! Thank you all for reading! If you enjoyed, please take a minute or two to tell me what you thought. xD Have a good night, all! And don't forget to drop by my profile!