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Interlude: Through a Mentor's Eyes

70th Hunger Games

Haymitch Abernathy chuckled, mostly out of surprise the little girl managed to do the second best out of all the non-careers.

"Well, I'll be damned the little sweetheart did better than you boy. Now, I'm curious what did you two do during your sessions?" Haymitch asked. Cole shrugged, slightly shocked Haymitch was addressing them

"I threw a knife and just ran around tell they told me to go." Haymitch chuckled darkly. I give the boy ten minutes in the bloodbath tops. He thought harshly but truthfully to himself

"And you sweetheart?" Haymitch was simultaneously amused and intrigued as Katniss glared at him with fiery hatred in her eyes.

"You'll find out, once the games begin just like everyone else unless you're too busy choking on your own vomit again." She said sarcastically. As the others in the room laughed at the girl's caustic remark Haymitch could only stare at her dumbfounded. Girl's got spunk to go with a clever, sharp tongue. Haymitch thought before he burst out into loud laughter.

"You got spunk sweetheart, I like that but it won't change the fact you are going to die." Shame, the sweetheart isn't older maybe she would've stood a chance then. Haymitch went to pick up his drink but was stopped by Katniss throwing a knife in between his fingers. Everyone else jumped startled, while Haymitch continued to stare at the girl who seemed full of surprises. I'll be damned the girl's got fire….shit can't get attached she still has no chance against the Careers.

"You got booze sugar, you like that but it won't change the fact you are going to die of guilt." Katniss sassed him. Haymitch couldn't help being shocked and awed on how quick witted the young girl was.

Sugar? Sassy, back-talking little thing.

"Damn" Haymitch said deeply shocked yet extremely impressed staring at the knife lodged deeply into the table in between his fingers. How the hell am I supposed to not get attached to the spunky sweetheart? Fuck, I'm not drunk enough for this.

Haymitch sat in the audience, stunned as Katniss' interview exceeds everyone's expectations. I'll be damned; Sweetheart's got the Capitol's attention and pulled their heartstrings without an angle. Fuck, I'm still not drunk enough to handle this. Finnick Odair also sat in the audience, mesmerized along with everyone else by the little girl from District 12 who was slowing working her way into everyone in Panem's hearts.

Finnick heard the other Victors heated whispers commenting on how this girl shouldn't be in the games. He couldn't help think to himself, Somehow, I believe the little flower is going to surprise us all. Very, likely she might die but it would cause a spark in people if that happens. This girl is special. Now, all of Panem knows it.

Haymitch was startled awake by a fierce punch in the gut from Johanna. He glared at her when he noticed she had his knife so he couldn't attack her. His mind was still foggy with alcohol so it took him a while to finally noticed his room was full of people.

"What the fuck are y'all bothering me for?" Haymitch slurred gruffly. Seeder, Mags, & Cecelia looked at him disapprovingly. Johanna just rolled her eyes at him in disgust. Finnick and Chaff snickered at his predicament.

"Well, drunkface. The Games are about to start and as a mentor you are required to actually show up to the Mentor's Center." Haymitch stumbled, still slighty drunk.

"Fine, might as well see more kids from 12 die." He slurred sarcastically. Cecelia and Seeder took everyone by surprise as they both smacked Haymitch hard. Mags mumbled something angrily at him that caused Finnick to stare at his ex-mentor in shock.

"Shit, what was that for?" Haymitch demanded in surprised annoyance. Seeder Fairbanks and Cecelia Emery are usually more of the non-violent gentle Victors.

Chaff chuckled deeply amused, "I don't think the lovely ladies liked you talking about the little angel's death so candidly." Chaff explained to his baffled old drinking buddy. Haymitch stares at all of the gathered Victors in his room, studying them.

He snorts, "That's what the wake-up call was about? What's got you all interested in a tribute of mine?" Haymitch asked them critically.

Johanna rolled her eyes, "Geez, how drunk were you last night? Do you not remember how the little girl you coached for the interview stole the night?"

Haymitch chuckles humorlessly. "What makes you think I had anything to do with coaching her for last night's interview?" He laughed louder at all the Mentor's stunned expressions.

"You didn't help her at all with the interview?" Finnick asked shocked.

Before, Haymitch could answer, Cecelia stuttered out another question. "T-th-that was all the little girl being herself?" The female Victor from 8 asked with the awe clear in her voice as the all exited the room heading towards the Mentor's Center. Haymitch was annoyed with all the questions about the Sweetheart, why did she have to be so special everyone noticed it? Haymitch just wanted to drink himself in a stupor in peace like he has the past twenty years.

"Yeah, I didn't coach her and yes, that was all her." He answered curtly grabbing the nearest bottle of alcohol, before they made their way to the Center.

"Why the hell didn't you coach her, drunkface?" Johanna demanded.

Haymitch snorts and rolls his eyes, "Hey, I tried but she blew me off." All of their eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Why would she do that?" Finnick asked.

Haymitch snickers, "It might have to something to do with the fact I didn't talk to my tributes this year until the night of the releasing of the scores." He admitted, surprising his fellow Victors even further.

"She got a 7 without any advice from you?" Chaff asked impressed.

Haymitch nodded his head. "Why all interest in the little sweetheart?"

Johanna snickered, "Sweetheart? Did someone melt your cold heart, drunkface?"

Haymitch glared at her but didn't answer just took a huge chug from his bottle.

"Haulm our boy tribute, plans an allying with her." Chaff answered looking at Seeder, but not missing Haymitch's startled expression.

"Why would he want to do something like that? He actually looks like he could win against the Careers. Plus, I don't see that happening, the Sweetheart strikes me as the anti-trusting type." Haymitch slurred gruffly. Chaff and Seeder exchanged amused smiles.

"Haulm has a little crush on Katniss, he wants to protect her for as long as he can" Seeder said with a smile on her face.

Haymitch raised his eyebrows in surprise, "I take back what I said about the boy possibly winning, he's an idiot" Haymitch slurred.

Both District 11 Mentors glared at him.

"It's probably a good thing the little flower isn't older." Finnick said thoughtfully, causing everyone to turn towards him in surprise.

"What makes you say that, Fish Brains?" Johanna asked sarcastically.

"Think about it logically, if she's doing this well so far with the capitol audience and her score at twelve. What would have happened if she was say sixteen? She would have won, I don't doubt that but also think about the fact she's a pretty little girl. Katniss would've grown up to be a stunner and throw that in with her personality she showed during her interview. The Capitol would be tripping over themselves to get a piece of her. Do you really think Snow would have left her alone?" Finnick asked rhetorically, his expression dark.

Cecelia looked horrified imagining that as the fate for the little girl from 12 who warmed her heart because of the pure almost maternal love Katniss expressed when she talked about her younger siblings.

"You're right, Finnick. If she was going to be reaped it's probably best for her while she's young so she wouldn't have to face the nightmare of winning. I can't help but wish though that the odds been more in her favor and she was never reaped." Cecelia said saddened.

Seeder squeezed the younger women's hand in sympathy, "I think we all wish that for her."

All of the Mentors decided to watch the Games together in the Main Viewing Area instead of going into the private ones that have for each district.

The 70th Hunger Games has begun, Katniss ran and dived and got a pack, she danced out of the way from one of Sparkles' knifes.

"Whoa, the little flower is quick on her feet." Finnick commented towards Haymitch, who just snorted before taking another huge drink from his bottle not bothering with a response.

Running into the forest, Katniss spotted Haulm killing Sparkles with an ax.

Cecelia blinked in shock, "Wow, he already killed a Career this fast in the games? That's pretty impressive and guarantees him sponsors." Seeder and Chaff smirk.

Later, when Katniss was safely in a tree, Haulm started calling out Katniss' name. "Come on, Katniss I saw you come this way. I'm not about to hurt you after I went to all the trouble of getting stabbed because I was busy protecting you during the bloodbath" Haulm asked her with a smile on his face. "Well, if you're not planning to kill me. Then what do you want? I'd rather not be bothered with a stranger who's proudly declaring his battle scars looking for sympathy. If you came looking for me saying I owe you my life, then you clearly are deluded. Afterall, the only one who saved me at the bloodbath was myself." Katniss declared bluntly.

All of the Mentors laughed, "She's a regular little hell cat, isn't she?" Finnick chuckled.

Haymitch sniggered in agreement, "Sweetheart's definitely got a mouth on her, that's for sure. When I asked her how she got her score, she glares at me before sarcastically responding, 'You'll find out, once the games begin just like everyone else unless you're too busy choking on your own vomit again.'"

The other mentors laughed loudly but Johanna's was the loudest.

"Damn, got to give it to the little girl." Johanna said impressed with a smirk on her face.

Chaff chuckled, "Yeah seems she knows you well."

Haymitch rolled his eyes as everyone's laughter increased in volume at Chaff's remark.

Haulm chuckled deeply, till he winced from pain. "You're a feisty little thing aren't you?"

Haymitch sniggered. "That's one way to put it. When, I told her she had spunk but that wouldn't stop the fact she still would die, she threw a knife in between my fingers as I reached for my drink. Then she says before I can recover from the shock, 'You got booze, Sugar, you like that but it won't change the fact you are going to die of guilt.'"

The others chuckled impressed by the girl's attitude.

"She's defiantly a Hell Kat." Finnick said amused.

He laughed at her glare. "Allies?" She looked at him thoughtfully, nodded her head, and scampered down the tree, landing gracefully holding out her hand for him to shake.

Seeder left shortly to send a gift to Haulm.

The other mentors stared at the screen in awe, "Guess, we know how the little flower got that 7." Finnick said stunned.

Haulm looked completely dumbfounded before shaking it. "You're like a little squirrel" Katniss glared and punched his knife wound on his side. "I'd watch it if I were you" Haulm laughed lightly, "There's no reason for a pretty girl like you to be so angry. You're like a cute little Kitty Kat." Katniss scowled at him but before she could properly tell where he could stick it, they were interrupted. "Who's do you think it is?" Haulm asks while holding the silver parachute. Katniss looks at him like he's the dumbest person in all of Panem. "I'm a 12 year old from District 12, with an alcoholic mentor, who has never acknowledged my presence. If you think I have any sponsors, I will have to question why I am in an alliance with an idiot because clearly you won't be bringing intelligence to this partnership." Katniss said waspishly.

Everyone laughed hard, even Haymitch.

"Damn, I'm loving the mouth on this kid." Johanna stated smirking.

Chaff and Finnick nodded their heads in agreement.

"Ouch, Kitty Kat. Retract the claws." Haulm laughed even louder at Katniss' glare at the nickname.

As did the Victors watching.

"'Retract the claws.' That's the perfect thing to tell Sweetheart." Haymitch smirked.

Katniss' scowl softened as she began to tend to Haulm's wound, she smiled softly at his sigh of relief as the medicine began to work. "You know, Kitty Kat if you smiled instead of scowled you would be even cuter then you normally are." Haulm laughed loudly as Katniss glare came back with a vengeance. "You're just lucky you remind me of Gale, otherwise I wouldn't have become allies with someone who obviously lacks intellect." Haulm chuckles, "Retract those claws, Kitty Kat. Who's Gale?" Katniss smiles softly, "My only friend" Haulm stares at her intently.

Chaff and Seeder laugh lightly. Their tribute was jealous of this 'Gale' person and the girl didn't even notice it.

"Was he one of your kills?" Katniss asked curiously. Haulm looked surprised, but nodded his head "I thought so, explains your wound and how you got a sponsor gift so fast" Haulm looked impressed at her thinking and reasoning.

So, did the Victors.

"She's perceptive" Cecelia commented impressed.

The others nodded their heads in agreement.

"You're smart." Katniss shrugged, "One of us has to be. You already made it clear strategy wasn't your strong suit." Haulm scowled at Katniss. "You're pretty sassy for a twelve year old. Are sure you aren't fourteen?" Haulm asked snarky. "Sorry, but no you really have been outwitted by someone two years younger than you." Katniss smiled mischievously.

The mentors chuckled again.

"I'm really starting to like this girl, she's mouthy." Johanna smirked, but her eyes were pained knowing that there was no way she would survive. Cecelia, Seeder, & Chaff sighed sadly as they saw their dead tributes names fill the sky.

"Well, you two still have Haulm and I already knew both of mine wouldn't last long." Cecelia admitted softly.

"I'm surprised Haulm was able to kill Fish Brains' boy tribute and that both of mine our still alive they're not the brightest that District 7 has to offer." Johanna said candidly.

Finnick shrugged, "Dace wasn't that bright either."

Cecelia looked at him, "Where did Mags go?"

Finnick sighed sadly "She's in the private viewing room with Annie." He answered softly.

They all got quiet; Annie who won the Games last year was required to go through mentoring training this year despite her fragile state of mind. President Snow really was a bastard.

"How's she doing?" Seeder asked softly.

"She doesn't talk at all, it's gotten worse since the Reaping this year. Before we could get her to eat but now…" Finnick trailed off sadly. No one pushed him to say more they went back to watching the screen.

"So, there's us, four careers, the geniuses from three, both from seven, and the boys from 5 & 9. There are twelve of us left, how about we break the alliance during the top five?" Katniss asked. Haulm nodded solemnly. "That sounds reasonable; I wouldn't want it to come down to the two of us."

"It was probably a good thing that she brought up when they should break their alliance. I think Haulm would've tried staying with her till the end if she hadn't" Seeder sighed. Chaff nodded his agreement to her assessment.

Katniss smiled mischievously. "This alliance is a perfect way to put my plan into motion." Haulm looked at her with curiosity. "Well, don't leave me in suspense Kitty Kat. What's this plan of yours?" Katniss ignored his question, to favor him with a glare. "I'm sleeping in the trees; it is the safest place from the Careers at night. I don't care what you do; meet me here in the morning if you want." Katniss said briefly as she climbed up the tree again. Haulm looked at her in awe again. "By the way: Do. Not. Call. Me. Kitty. Kat." Katniss sassed. He chuckled as she glared at him. "Whatever, you say little squirrel." He laughed warmly at her answering huff and went to find someplace safe to camp out at.

The mentors laughed, "Those two are a riot together." Chaff chuckled.

Finnick looked at Haymitch curiously, "What do you think the little Hell Kat has planned?"

Haymitch took a huge drink, "Hell if I know, Pretty Boy."

"So, what's this plan of yours?" Haulm asked his little spitfire ally the next morning. Ignoring his question to ask her own, "Did anyone ever tell you how annoying it is that you sleep too much?" Haulm chuckles "And how many times do I have to tell you to retract the claws, Kitty Kat?" Katniss glares.

Everyone bursts into laughter, "I think I will miss their banter when they eventually part ways" Chaff chuckles. All he got in response to his comment was nods of agreement.

"Whatever, while you were sleeping like the dead four more tributes died, we made it to the final eight and I got us food. Here, you can have the rabbit and the fish. I've already eaten." Haulm was surprised but excited at the prospect of fresh meat. "How did you catch the rabbit?" She shrugged, "Snares."

Everyone shook their heads.

"It's like she doesn't even realize how impressive that was." Finnick says baffled by the little Hell Kat's nonchalance towards her own achievements.

"Now, my plan is too trick seven into a trap before the careers find them because my weapon is much less painful than theirs will be." Katniss pulled out a bunch of berries from her pack. "Coming from District Eleven, I am assuming you know what these are?" She asked with a smirk. "Nightlock." Haulm whispered stunned. "Exactly, here's what we are going to do: Ahead of us is District Seven they tried killing me earlier this morning but they remained close by. So I am going to run screaming across their path drop the berries and a squirrel. Since, it's obvious they are starving they will fall for it pretty easily. You will be chasing after me with your knife out in plain sight. Then once we are out of their line of vision we will hide in the bushes and watch as it all unfolds." Katniss explained smugly. Haulm stared at her wide-eyed his jaw opening and closing but no words coming out. "That's brilliant" Katniss smirked at him "Like I said I couldn't leave strategy to you, if I did you could get us killed."

"Well. I'll be damned, Sweetheart." Haymitch slurred impressed.

"At this point, I don't care if she kills my tributes it's obvious she's smarter than the two of them combined and they did stupidly try to kill her first." Johanna said snidely.

"Aww, did the mean scary JoJo get attached to the little Hell Kat?" Finnick teased.

The District 7 Mentor glared at him but didn't answer causing Finnick to smirk smugly at her.

"I'm impressed that she used Nightlock as a weapon" Cecelia commented.

Haymitch snorts, "No, Sweetheart used their own starvation against them, she recognizes that every tribute either has more strength, height, weight, or is generally older then her. So, she used their biggest weakness against them. Hunger. She truly is pulling a hunger game on her opponents and the Nightlock is the way she's doing it." Haymitch explained, finally figuring out her plan. Now, he's curious if it will play out the way Katniss is planning for it too.

The plan went off without a hitch as they heard two identical BOOMS, as they were walking away they heard two more BOOMS. "Four left" Katniss whispered. Haulm looked at her sadly, "Be safe, little squirrel." Katniss nodded "You too, if I don't win I expect you too." Haulm looked at her devastated, but she didn't seem to notice. "Back at you, Kitty Kat" He laughed one last time at her glare. Haulm watched as she scampered off into a tree before running into the opposite direction.

Seeder sighed sadly.

"I hope it doesn't come down to the two of them."

The others nodded sadly and silently agreeing.

"Katniss…Katniss" Haulm whispered her name weekly. Katniss jumped down from her tree and landed gracefully just to have him collapse into her arms. "You…have to…win…Kitty Kat" Tears ran down her face as she nodded her head. "Music…reminds me…of home…will you sing?" Katniss let a sob escape her lips before she began to sing:

'Cause every moment I'm with you it's like I'm holding on to heaven

And if forever never comes then I will hold on 'Cause every moment I'm with you

It's like I'm holding on to heaven…..

Seeder and Cecelia were openly crying. Johanna tried to hide her tears. Chaff, Finnick, & Haymitch themselves had to fight off tears. But all stared at Katniss on the screen as her mesmerizing voice filled their ears.

"Her voice is so pretty. Don't you think, Finn?" Annie whispered staring at the screen. Everyone looked at her in shock. They didn't even notice her and Mags until Annie spoke up.

"Annie?" Finnick looked at her in surprise that she was finally speaking.

"I don't want her die, Finn. She's too special to die. Don't you think, Finn?" Annie asked tearfully her eyes still had that lost glazed look in them.

Finnick sighed heavily, "Yeah, she is." Finnick said hoarsely. Annie spoke, she finally made progress, and he had little Katniss Everdeen to thank for it. Finnick hoped a miracle would happen and the little Hell Kat lives long enough for him to thank her for giving him back Annie even if it's for a short time.

Haulm smiled softly at her and shakily brought her hand to his lips to kiss before he gasped loudly. Katniss wiped her tears, as she got up, her eyes had a fiery determination as she headed to the Cornucopia. Where the last remaining Career was left dying of blood poisoning. Spatha Dearborn jumped up wildly and started to carelessly fling her sword around. Katniss approached her like you would approach a wild animal. "I have no weapons. You could kill me before I even touched you." Katniss said quietly.

"What is she doing? What is she brainless?" Johanna snapped out, even though the words may have been harsh, her voice was clearly full of panic. Everyone shushed her.

Spatha chuckled darkly, "Very true, little girl." Katniss held out Nightlock, "My mother is a healer, these will help with the pain while you wait for the hovercraft to collect you." Spatha tackled her eagerly and stuffed the berries into her mouth. As she collapsed, Katniss shook her head at the dead Career.

"Holy Shit." Finnick, Johanna, & Chaff said together stunned.

"She did it." Seeder & Cecelia gasped in shocked awe.

Annie and Mags smiled widely, full of genuine happiness.

"You, know that old saying 'Never, take candy from strangers'? Well, the same thing could be said about berries."

Everyone let out weak chuckles still deeply shocked by Katniss' win.

Claudius Templesmith shouts above her. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the youngest victor in Hunger Games history. Victor of the Seventieth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen — tribute of District Twelve!"

"Well, I'll be damned. She actually managed to pull it off. That's my Sweetheart." Haymitch smirked at Katniss' image on the screen before finishing his drink.

AN: What do you guys think? Let me know by reviews please lol

Rd, Enjoy, & Review!