Katniss POV

Slam!

I woke up to see Effie at my door. I groaned and hid under the pillow, but then I realised where I was. In the Capitol.

"Come on Katniss, get up. We have to be down in at the training centre by ten. And it's 9:15. Breakfast is served. So go eat and get ready. We have to show everyone that we are not like regular district 12 tributes."

I was kind of glad the pillow was on my head. It blocked out her voice but she was right. We did have to be ready for training. I got up and went out to living room, not even caring I was still in my PJ's. I saw that Peeta was already up and discussing something with Haymitch, who of course was already drinking his booze. I knew he wouldn't be able to stay sober for this. He noticed me the minute I came in.

"Morning sweetheart. How'd you sleep?" Haymitch said

"Fine, thanks. What's our plan for training?"

"I was just discussing that with Peeta here. I think that you should keep your skills a secret until the private sessions. Also I don't want you splitting up. Go to the same stations together."

"Whatever you say Haymitch." I said picking up an apple and bit into it. It was delicious. A little juicy and messy but really good.

"Make you sure you have something other than that apple for breakfast. You'll need you're strength." Haymitch said

"Uh huh" I finished the apple and picked up a banana. Even though I've never eaten these fruits before, I knew a lot about them. My father told me that a banana is always good for you. It has potassium in it which rejuvenates you energy.

"Alright, let's get ready. We have 30 minutes till we're expected down there." Effie said shrilly

I finished the banana and went back to my room. I took a shower before I got ready. The hot water really waked me up. The hot water never ended. I wanted to stay in there forever but I had to get out. I towel dried myself and got into the training outfit which had been supplied for us. As for my hair I took it out of its braid and redid it. I hadn't realised the time when Effie called out that we really needed to go. I found my Mockingjay Pin and attached it to my top. Taking one last look at myself in the mirror I decided I looked reasonable and walked out to meet them in the foyer.

Cato's POV

I looked around for Katniss but she hadn't arrived yet. All the tributes from the other districts were here but technically we were early, it wasn't even ten yet. Oh wait there she is…and she's with Peeta. That boy's going to die in the bloodbath, I'm telling you that and by my hand too probably. Atala must have noticed them come in because she told us to make a circle around her. She began telling us that many of us will die by natural causes, not just from weapons. She explained the rules and made a snide joke about having time to kill each other in the arena. I had pretty much zoned out. I did not take advice from this woman. I knew how to train. I had been training my whole life. This was nothing. I spent most of the time looking at Katniss. She is so beautiful. Her hair was in its natural braid. She was focused on Atala, taking in every word the woman said. Finally we were dismissed to go off to the stations.

"Hey I'm going to the knives station. Go wherever you want" Clove said to me. I barely heard her because I was still focused on Katniss who seemed to be arguing with Peeta. I decided to go over to the sword's station. I need to show these kids my power here. Feeling a sword in my hands felt good. Like something from home. I was training again. The dummies were no challenge for me. I quickly mutilated each and every one of them.

Katniss POV

We were the last to arrive but Effie says everyone else came early so we weren't technically late. I stood in the circle listening to the woman telling us we'll die and by what means we will. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cato is bored out of his brain; none of this is new to him but I also catch him glancing at me which makes me produce a small smile. I listen to the woman until we're dismissed. I have no intention of following Haymitch's plans. I was pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of Peeta's voice.

"So should head over to the rope tying station?"

"You can if you want. I'm heading for the Archery station" I said not even looking at Peeta as I said it.

"Haymitch told us not to show our skills off and not to spilt up." Peeta said

"Yeah, well Haymitch isn't here, is he? Besides, I'm aching to show that Glimmer how to shoot properly."

"But then she'd kill you?"

"Peeta, I was being sarcastic. She can't shoot to save her life. Look I'm going off now so have fun with your ropes.' I said leaving. I walked over to the Archery station which just happens to be next to the Swords station. Cato looks up and sees me, flashing a smile at me. I can't help but smile back at him. I pick up a bow and head to the target closest to him so we can talk. Glimmer however is on the opposite of me.

"Oh look, 12 is attempting to do Archery. How sweet" We'll see how sweet it is when I strike this arrow though the bullseye while you fire aimlessly. Cato is obviously thinking the same thing.

"Alright let's see who can do better. Ready your arrows and fire." I aim the arrow at the target, but at the red centre. The bow is different from the one back home and it is heavier but I manage. It feels so good to be holding a bow again. Like I'm holding a piece of home in my hands again. I breathe in and release my bow. Glimmer does as well. Her bow hits the out white section of the target; in fact, it's barely logged in, like it's going to fall out…and it does. My arrow hits the red target. Bullseye! I can feel Glimmer's eyes on me, burning with hate and anger.

"Lucky shot" she says.

"Want to go again "' calling her 1 made her even more annoyed but who cares, if they're going to call me 12 then I'll call them by their number. I reload my bow and aim again. Red target hit. I look over to see Glimmer's arrow didn't even touch the target stand. I decided to have some fun messing with her.

"Hey, 2 bullseyes in a row. I must have a knack for this." I tell her. I hear Cato let out a snigger trying not to laugh. He knows I can shoot perfectly but he wants to have fun as well. In her anger, Glimmer throws down the bow and heads over to Marvel who is spearing dummies in the stomach. I turn back to Cato.

"Well that got rid of her." I say

"Yes, you're just so good at this." Cato said mockingly

"As are you with swords. Have you trained before this?" I ask trying not to laugh.

"Yes, here I'll teach you" I unlike Glimmer put the bow back on its stand and walk over to Cato. He grabs another sword for me. It feels odd holding a different weapon in my hands.

"Ok, now make sure that your hand is gripped on the end of the handle, that part that isn't the fleshing cutting blade." Cato smirks

"I know what end to hold" I said

"I know, I'm sorry. Ok that's right; now show me your stance."

On instinct, I took my archery stance which was clearly wrong for swords play.

"No like this" Cato came over and helped me with my stance. "Turn your body side-on Katniss, it'll give you more strength when you throw the sword. Here" I felt myself turn. It was only then that I realised his hands on my waist. I turned around to face him. I was in some trance, his ice blue eyes were hypnotising but I broke out of it when I heard Atala call us over. It must be time for lunch. I dropped my stare and walked over to put the sword back. What had just happened?

Cato's POV

"What were you doing with 12? Teaching her how to move her hips" Clove asked

"What are you talking about?"

"Cato, everyone saw you and her at the station. You were holding her close to you. You can't imagine what everyone thinks of you now. You're playing with mud Cato."

"Don't call her that" I said annoyed

"Why, that's what she is. Why do you care…you like her don't you?" Clove smirked

"Shut up"

"Cato's in love" I covered her mouth with my hand hoping no one heard her.

"Be quiet, or everyone will hear you. I'll tell you about it later. Let's go have lunch alright."

"Fine, but be careful. Don't take this any further. These games kill people Cato. Only one can live…and that's me" she said grinning

"Don't get your hopes up." I smiled back.

Katniss' POV

I was sitting at one of the tables with Peeta pretending to listen to him talk about bread and its designs or something. I hadn't touched my tray of food. I was too busy pondering over what happened back in the training centre. It was the closest we'd ever been in contact. I was falling madly in love with him, but did he feel the same way? He didn't seem to want to let me go at the training centre but what did that prove? I glanced over at him who in turn was looking at me. I could see he was ignoring Glimmer's feeble attempts to flirt with him, she had a thing for him too but he didn't care for her.

"Katniss, did you hear me?" Peeta asks

"What?" I ask whipping my head back to face him.

"Katniss, I think you should stay away from him. He's a Career from 2. He'll play with you and then kill you. Haymitch wouldn't want you talking or hanging around him and well…I don't really want you to either." Peeta said nervously. God that boy will die. The nerve he has to think that he can tell me what to do. I was fuming

"Peeta, do you own me or possess me in any way? Am I yours? No, so don't tell me what you want from me or what to do!" I must have said that last part a bit loud because all I heard was silence. I turned to see everyone stare at us. I shoved my chair back and stormed out back to the training centre. I needed to release my anger out. I picked up my bow again and aim at the target. Bullseye! I looked over at the Swords station. The dummies had been replaced. Might as well dispose of them. I place the bow back and picked up a sword. I began slicing of the dummies heads and tearing them apart. There was one left but I decided to try something. I took my stance and threw the sword at the dummy. It lodged itself in the chest firmly. I was impressed and slightly shocked with myself. Cato's advice helped but I looked at what I'd done. I had become like him, a killing machine. I heard clapping in the distance and turned around to see Cato coming towards me. I immediately relaxed.

"Well done, see how turning on your side helps. You're good with a sword Katniss and a bow." Cato said and then he lowered his voice. "Don't tell anyone but I'm a bit scared you what you'll be able to do in the arena"

"A Career is scared of someone from 12? Wow that's new" I said with a smirk

"Not something you see every day" Cato replied. "Do you want to tell me what happened back there?"

"Peeta was being a jerk and that's putting it mildly. He said that he didn't want me talking to you or hanging around you but he tried guilt-tripping me saying Haymitch wouldn't want it either. What does Haymitch care? He's just an arrogant drunk."

"Yeah well, he'll die so you can be rid of him for good." Cato says. Normally I wouldn't find talking about killing someone funny but I hated Peeta, so it didn't bother me. I wanted him dead and to be the killer. Wait did I just think that? Cato opened his mouth to say something but we heard voices in the background, clearly lunch was over and all the tributes were filing back into the training centre. For the rest of the afternoon Cato and I trained at the same stations. He taught me how to use weapons such as knives – which I wasn't so good at yet I excelled at throwing spears; he thinks that it's because of its similarity to an arrow which makes it easy for me – and I taught him about the fruits and plants edible – he didn't remember most of them but the one he knew clearly was the Nightlock. We had a competition at rock climbing which really was net climbing. I won but he says otherwise. I noticed about halfway through the afternoon that I had a shadow. The girl from Eleven, was always at the same station as me and Cato. I think her name was Rue. She reminded me of Prim. Finally we released to go. Before Cato got out of the elevator on his floor, he whispered in my ear to meet him up on the roof again tonight. Finally I reached my floor and stepped out to be confronted by a very drunk Haymitch and a very shrilly Effie. I left for my room and stayed there until dinner which wasn't very pleasant.

"Katniss, Peeta tells me that you didn't follow my plans in training. You spent most of it with that Cato from District 2" Haymitch said. I look at Peeta with hatred in my eyes giving him a death glare.

"You told him! Look who's a goody-two shoes tattling on me. Trust me Peeta; sucking up playing Mentor's Pet would help you in any way." I sneered at him.

"Enough! Care to explain why?"

"Well how about, I actually want to win these Games so I'll need training in weapons and not at the small stations such as painting you face."

"I told you to stay together!" Haymitch says stabbing the table with his knife'

"That is mahogany!" Effie screeches. At that point, I'd had enough of her.

"No one cares about the stupid mahogany Effie! You're an airy Capitol escort who wants to be promoted to a different district!" I scream at her. I get up and leave headed for the roof to meet Cato.

Cato's POV

I had just arrived at the roof and sat down when an annoyed Katniss come barging out of the elevators towards me.

"They're all so frustrating. I hate them and the Capitol. We shouldn't be here at all. If 13 never rebelled, we wouldn't have these damn Games. It's all their fault." Katniss said plopping herself next to me.

"What happened this time?" I ask

"Bread Boy decided to be a tattletale and tell Haymitch about training today. I told Haymitch off and screamed at Effie. I skipping most of what was irrelevant but I still hate them, but mostly him."

"I guessing Bread Boy is Peeta"

"Actually I should call him Dead Meat Boy because that's what he is."

"He'll be dead soon enough, so don't worry about him" I noticed that Katniss had rested her head on my shoulder. How was I supposed to kill her?

"Cato, what are we going to do? Only one of us can come out alive."

"I don't know, but I say we just enjoy here and now while it lasts." When I didn't get response, I looked down and saw that Katniss had fallen asleep.