PLEASE READ::::

OK HERE'S THE THING: I realized that I never included the private sessions into the chapter, and just completely forgot about them all together. SO I added them into the end of this chapter in order to help it fit well into the storyline. Caesar won't really be mentioning them in the interviews, it's not going to be his main focus anyway (wink wink) so no problems there. But because I put the private sessions in, I was able to add in another little Catani moment, what can I say except you're welcome. So ENJOY!

The clock on the nightstand in my room read 11:25. It was weird to have an actual clock. Of course, I had seen one before, but we only owned one and it was put in the common area of my house, so if you wanted to know the time then that's where you needed to get up and go to. Akela and I had made a sundial as kids outside our room so that we would be able to look out the window when we needed to tell the time. Thinking about that made me miss my brother.

As the clock grew closer to midnight, I began to debate whether or not to meet Cato on the roof like he'd wanted. It wasn't the smartest idea and realistically he could be planning to fuck me over as soon as we got into the Games. But I so desperately wanted to know what he wanted from me. So I decided to woman up and before I could rethink what I was doing, I ran to the elevator and pressed the button that would take me to the roof.

I had gotten there early by 20 minutes at the least. So had Cato it would seem, because when the elevator doors opened he was sitting on the edge of the building, just like he had been this morning. He had heard the elevator, which had caused him to turn around. Whatever I was expecting from this encounter, it definitely was not what was about to happen.

"What's your play, Four?" Those were the first words out of his mouth. I'd seen Cato angry, multiple times actually, over the past few days. He had a constant mean face plastered on, causing him to become probably the most feared amongst the newest tributes. But this was different for some reason, I couldn't tell why, and that scared me more than anything.

"I'm sorry?" Was my response.

"You heard me." He stood up and walked forward until he was towering above me. We were too close for comfort. "The act that you're trying to pull, being all caring toward all the tributes, even the bigger and stronger ones. What is it about? Trying to make as many alliances as possible? Think it will save you when it comes time inside that the arena?"

I rolled my eyes. If I was reading the situation correctly, and I'm pretty sure I was, he had talked to his mentor about me. It wasn't surprising actually, Finnick had even warned me that secrets amongst mentors and tributes were rare; I guess I had hoped this would be different, because I hadn't entirely told Finnick the truth about him. How stupid of me. "Get over yourself Cato, I'm not playing anyone. I don't get why you can't understand that sometimes people are just nice."

"Not in these games they're not." He challenged. "No one is just nice in the Hunger Games. Everyone is out to save their own asses, and when someone starts acting all sweet and caring and innocent it usually means something bad is gonna follow; I've watched Johanna Mason's games, I get it."

"Obviously you don't." I argued. "Why would I reveal that I could fight to you if I were trying to pull a Johanna Mason? I would pretend to be weak and not associate with any of the other tributes, and yet here I am doing the exact opposite. And I'm far from innocent and sweet. But being here, knowing that there's a chance I might be dead in the next few weeks, it makes you rethink a lot of things. Like the way you treat people. It's made me think about why some people are the way they are, and I'm choosing to believe that there are reasons behind the brutal mentality that the Careers hold."

"You're gonna be sorely disappointed the minute we get in that arena Four."

"Then I guess I'll have to deal with that when the time comes."

Cato didn't seem to have a response for that. He either didn't care enough to give me one, or I had rendered him speechless; my bet was on the former. There was a few seconds of silence, and then, "I think we can help each other out here."

What I had feared before was happening. Now was the time, I thought, I was going to have to choose between siding with the Careers or protecting Rue myself.

"You and I both want the same things: to make it to the end of those games as easy as possible. So I'm prepared to make you a deal. You and I are the fan favorites here, we're in the running right now to win this thing. What better way to end this year's Hunger Games with two of the Capitol's top picks dueling it out in the end."

I was astonished at his proposal. He'd offered me a final two deal, something that wasn't uncommon when it came to district partners, but certainly uncommon when it came to two people who came from opposing districts. It meant something, because he had Clove - from his own district - or even Marvel and Glimmer - from the traditional Career Pack - but he was choosing me.

"Why me?" I wanted answers. "There are plenty of other viable choices. Being the fan favorite, give me a break, that's not it. So why me?"

"Look, I know people think that I'm this big idiot who's all brawn and no brains, and that I probably believe my brute strength is gonna pull me through to the end of these games, but I'm not stupid. I know it's more than being able to wield a sword. I grew up learning everything I needed to know about being in that arena, and I know that the worst thing I could possibly do out there is underestimate everyone else. So they can all think what they want. I'm being realistic, one of us comes out of there, and if I pick someone who isn't just a good fighter, but has the votes of everyone else in the Capitol who isn't rooting for me, then that gains me favors. People already like the idea of us, why not play on that. It's called being a power couple, sweetheart."

I hated the valid points he was making. "Finnick talked to you, didn't he? That's where this is all coming from. Great, so Catani or Kalato, or whatever the fuck, happens and brings in sponsors and I have to pretend to actually like you to win this thing."

"What?" Cato's eyebrows scrunch together. My heart drops into my stomach. "No, what the hell are you talking about? I came up with all of this the moment we stepped of those chariots the first day. Everyone went nuts for you, you practically stole the attention from everyone else by trying to bring the attention to them. It was insanely cunning. I knew from that moment you weren't just some bimbo, you knew how to scheme."

"Yeah," I scuffed, "until you stole my spotlight by pulling that little stunt with the hand kiss."

"That was me forcing my way into a possible alliance. Now if we pair up for this thing it doesn't look completely suspicious or out of the blue. People want to see us together. I'm not saying you have to actually like me, or even pretend to have some sort of romantic feelings for me, I'm just saying: don't not pretend. Let everyone else think what they want and don't try to make them believe otherwise."

He really was more than a pretty, yet scary, face. Without even speaking with anyone else, he'd devised an entire plan that had potential. I was mildly impressed, but I knew from the beginning that Cato knew what he was doing. He wouldn't have volunteered for the games otherwise.

"I'm not worried about me keeping up appearances, I can pretend to like you, hell I can even pretend to like like you even. The real question is whether you can pretend to like like me, because one slip and people might just see through your bullshit Cato." I smirked at him. Despite my words, I'd seen the reruns from the tributes parade, he pulled off his persona well. It wasn't me that had sparked an interest in 'Catani', it was Cato. I had just looked like a blushing fool because, well, I was at the time.

The blonde leans in close and his voice lowers an octave (how his voice could get any deeper was still a mystery to me.) "Trust me, sweetheart. I don't have to pretend."

That one line brings the blood rushing right to my face, and within seconds I'm a blushing mess...again.

This only causes him to smirk. "See what I mean. I think it's safe to say that my acting won't be a problem for us."

I had to get out of there. "I'll think about it."

a-a

Finnick was laying in my bed when I got back to my room about an hour later. He was staring at the ceiling before his attention was drawn to me as I walked through the door. "Where did you sneak off to, doll?"

I smiled and swan dove into the bed next to him. He was exceptionally warm, causing me to tuck into him more and more. He wrapped his arms around me and tangled our legs together. Things were strictly platonic between me and Finnick, and that was the best part about him; we could be this way with one another and there was no awkwardness, no questioning of feelings for one another. I needed someone to be there for me in this moment, and Finnick knew that. If I won these games, I would need someone there for me afterward as well, and Finnick knew that. In the midst of all the slaughtering and senseless deaths, I would need someone, and Finnick knew that too. The only problem was, he couldn't completely be there for me in the games, so he was trying to compensate by being there in the now, at every chance he got.

"You didn't answer my question." Finnick pointed out. "Where were you? I've been here for like an hour waiting for you to show up, butthead."

"Hey, there's no need for the name calling." I chuckled. This was it. No more keeping secrets from Finnick. He should know about my encounters with Cato. So I told him the truth, every last bit of it. The best part was, he just listened. And at the end of it, there was no judgment. Everything from here on out was strategic; if it got me closer to winning the games, it would need to happen.

"I think you should be weary of him. But if I'm being honest, his strategy is great. He's absolutely right, people love a good power couple. Romance has never been a part of the games, its new and exciting and it's what we were going for. Cato being in on it just makes it easier to sell." He ran his fingers through my hair. "I think you should consider his final two deal. Kalani, you could make it to the end. And you could beat him, I know you can. You took down that trainer in under five minutes, and it only took that long because you were lecturing during it."

I shook my head. "No, no, this is different, he is different. The trainers are good at what they do yeah, but there's a reason the Careers never need them for anything other than being their fighting dummies. The Careers have trained their entire lives for the games. They're school curriculums are based off them, they can fight before they can walk. Cato would take me down in an instant."

"Stop." Finn's voice is hard, he's even more serious than before. He sat us up and leaned our foreheads together, like he always did when things got intense. "You get to the final two, you get to water, and you kick his ass. No one in those games is gonna be able to do what you can do when it comes down to it, not when they're on your territory. I believe in you Kalani. It's time for you to start believing in yourself."

He was right, I'd said it to myself so many times and yet I haven't fully believed it. But if I could make it to the water, god hoping there was some in the arena, I could take anyone that came at me. I was a stronger swimmer, I could hold my breath longer, I knew how to fight in the water. I'd swam with sharks, I'd faced apex predators on their turf, I'd and come out alive every single time. I wasn't going to let a kid take me down.

Finnick laid a kiss on my forehead. "Let's go to sleep, you have more training later this morning, and then the private sessions where they gamemakers will score you. And then interviews are tomorrow. So rest up."

"I love you, Finn."

"Love you back, Lani."

a-a

The next morning, Finnick woke me up early. I braided my hair and wrapped them into two buns on the back of my head. Finnick carried me on his back to the dining room to get breakfast, and by that I mean I forced him to carry me.

Kai was sitting at the table when we got there. He threw me a heartstopping smile and greeted me and Finnick. Mags was humming a little tune to herself while preparing plates for all of us. And Johanna Mason stepped through the elevator not ten seconds after we all sat down to eat.

"What's up future killers and killees, nice to see you all this fine morning, alive and well and all that jazz." She smirked and proceeded to plop down in the chair next to me. Her finger poked into my cheek and I snapped my teeth at her, pretending to try and bite it. "Baby shark…" She mumbles and winks.

We all began to eat, and though I wanted to hold it in because I hadn't made up my mind on the matter, I knew I had to tell Kai. "Cato offered me a final two deal. He thinks pretending to be a power couple could help us with sponsors."

Kai's head shot up and his eyes pierced into mine.

"I haven't given him an answer yet."

"Well you should've." Kai's expression was grim, but not angry. "He's right, it could help you Kalani."

"That's not fair to you." I tried to argue.

"None of this is fair to me!" Kai snapped. "It's not fair to any of us! But it is what it is." His voice grew soft. "Stop thinking about everyone else for just a second Lani, and think of yourself. One of us makes it out of there. If you and I were to make it to the end together, we have to be realistic. We can't kill each other. It's not who we are. You and I watched each other grow up. We played together. We went to parties together. We sailed together. Our families are friends. We're friends. We couldn't do that to one another."

I didn't realize I was crying until tears were streaming down my face. An arm wrapped itself around my shoulders and brought me closer to a warm body. Mags. She hummed her light tune and wiped the tears from my face, and she didn't let me go.

"He's right." It's the softest tone I'd heard Johanna use since I'd met her. "District loyalty runs deep. You know how many district partners have actually killed one another in these games? Two. In all the years this has gone on, between twelve districts, and one of them was accidental."

"You're gonna need to count on one another during the games, but the chances of the both of you making it to the end are slim to none. None of the other tributes would allow it anyways. The closer you get to the finals, the more they'll be gunning to get rid of one of you. Johanna is right, district bonds are strong, so they'll wanna cut that off as quick as they can before it becomes easy enough for the two of you to take them on together." Finnick's hand reaches for mine across the table. Kai comes around and hugs me the best he can with Mags at my side. There's a calm silence that washes over the room, an acceptance of what needed to happen. Kai and I may have originally planned to go to the end together, and we would fight to keep one another alive as long as possible, but it wouldn't be enough, and one of us would die before the other. I hugged Mags and Kai tighter, I squeezed Finnick's hand tighter.

Johanna made a noise that sounded like an irritated sigh, but her hand found my other one and she squeezed. "You're all so sickening with this emotional crap."

I smiled. "Love you too, Johanna."

She rolled her eyes but I saw her crack a small smile. "Yeah, whatever."

a-a

Everyone was tense while waiting for their turns to take on one of the biggest challenges we'd face so far: the private sessions. One by one, we would walk into that room alone, spend a couple of minutes showing the gamemakers why we were worth a high score, and pray afterward that they wouldn't hang us out to dry.

Surprisingly, Cato came and sat down next to me when Clove's name was called. Guess they were having girls go first this year. The Careers, Kai, and I were lucky, we got a pretty good slot when it came to the sessions. We were a few of the first tributes and our districts were known for producing victors in the past, so they would pay the most attention to us. But tributes in the outlying and lower districts drew the death slots; they had a harder time keeping the gamemakers interested, and that made it harder to score higher - which is what everyone wanted, because the higher the score, the more likely you are to gain sponsors.

"Do what you did with that trainer the other day and you'll definitely be set to score high." I could tell he knew that I was nervous, and because of that he was trying to encourage me. It didn't help much, but I wasn't going to show that.

"Oh honey," I joked, "I'm not at all worried about me getting a high score, I'm worried about you. I don't wanna have to be responsible for reeling in all of our sponsors, you better pull your weight buddy."

He rolled his eyes and opened his mouth, probably to throw some form of a sarcastic comment back at me, but before he could his name was called over the speaker. It was his turn.

"Good luck, darling." I said playfully. He lightly tugged on a piece of my hair as he stood up and walked away, causing me to smack his arm and laugh.

After a couple of minutes, another tribute took a seat next to me; a smaller and way more innocent tribute.

"I think you'll do great." She whispered. "The gamemakers already know who you are. They'll be looking out for you."

Everything about the girl made me smile; from her cute little smiles to her knack for making everything seem just a little bit better. "Thanks Rue." I hugged her into my side. "You know that everybody loves an underdog. No one would be expected a little girl like you to score so high."

"I'm not gonna score high."

"Oh yes you are." There was no room for argument. "I've seen you climb trees and scavenge like none of these other tributes."

"That won't do me any good against a bigger tribute." She pointed out.

My hand found its way into her hair and began to massage her scalp. "Sometimes you have to play the defensive and know when you need to run instead of fight."

"My mom used to play with my hair like this." Conversation ceased between the two of us after that. There was no need for words, just comfort. And then my name was called, and I had to pull away from the dark skinned child.

"Give em hell, Rue." Her smile was the last thing I saw before I entered that room.

a-a

"How do you two think you did?" Finnick was the first to ask when we got back to the floor.

I shrugged and threw myself onto the couch in front of the television. "I guess we'll find out in just a couple of hours."

"I think both of us did just fine." Kai answered for himself and for me. "I fought against some of the trainers, worked with a couple of spears, and showed them I knew a bunch of survival skills. And ka manō over here beat up on her favorite trainer while showing off a little knife work."

That fucking nickname. "Insulting me by trying to call me baby shark in that language doesn't work, it just translates to the word shark."

"But the fact that you knew I was calling you baby shark actually inadvertently makes it work, so I still win." I had to give it to him, he had a good point.

Mags pulled us out of the living room and into the dining room, beckoning us to eat dinner before the scores were released later in the day. We spent most of the time before that talking about everything but the arena, which was a nice change. A lot of the conversations reverted back to one thing: home. We all missed it. And sadly, only two, maybe three, would be going back to it at the end of all of this.

Effie Trinket came running into the room, trailed by a seemingly annoyed Johanna Mason, in the middle of a deep discussion about whether or not fish were friends and not food. "Turn on the TV, get in the living room, the scores are in!"

No one needed to tell me twice. By the time we sat down and everyone had gotten settled in - which took longer than normal thanks to the bickering of who got to sit in the last spot on the couch instead of the floor by Finnick and I (I lost by the way) - the scores for District 1 had flashed across the screen and Caesar was moving onto Two. Clove had scored a ten, but I wasn't interested in her, to be completely honest, I found myself crossing my fingers for the next person on the screen. A ten was displayed right next to his cocky little floating head, and I sighed in relief.

Three's scores were ok, as good as to be expected, and then our turns came around.

Kai's hand grabbed ahold of mine, as well as Finnick's, and before we knew it, all of us were grasping each other's hands, even Johanna, praying to anyone that would listen that the training had been worth it.

Kai had scored a ten - we all sighed, but at the same time everyone remained silent, not wanting to jinx anything. My face made its way onto the screen.

"A score of….ten from our very own goddess of beauty!"

And then the cheering commenced. For a moment, things were ok.