Crane has to prove himself despite the years of loyal service to Snow. He has no idea that Haymitch is not alone. He has no idea that Katniss is in the past with a mission to track down and kill Snow. Katniss has found her soulmate and has been receiving lessons from the Haymitch that exists in the past. They are now going to investigate the palace as Hawks.

I do not own the Hunger Games

The Past

In the past, Katniss had no idea that her time was running out. She was following Haymitch, confident he knew where he was going.

It was strange to be in this form as she soared upwards. A bird's form was so different from a human one. Katniss felt smaller, more compact in her Hawke body. She enjoyed the feeling of the wind ruffling against her feathers. She could feel the slight sting of the sharp cool air that rested well above the highest trees.

Katniss took a deep breath but found she could not smell anything. As a human scent was one of the most powerful senses. Normally she could detect the smell of the earth and the musty scent of the animals as they rested in their pens. As a HawkeWhile she could not smell things, though her vision was sharper. Things below were almost magnified, she could spot minute details that would help a Hawke detect prey.

Katniss wiggled her fingers and her feathers rippled and her flight speed increased. A slight wriggle of a wing and she turned or climbed higher. Her legs were now talons and they were curled underneath her protected by her fathers. Haymitch called to her and Katniss turned her attention back to her mentor.

They glided through the air. To the casual observer, they were two hawks flying above enjoying the windy day. She flapped her wings, caught up in the excitement of traveling higher. When this adventure began she thought it exhilarating to sit atop a pegasus. Flying was amazing. It was thrilling to feel the wind caressing her feathers as she flew amongst the clouds. Haymitch screeched at her.

His tone was clear, she'd better stop playing around. Katniss reluctantly followed Haymitch, he was right they had a mission to complete. Below she could see the village. The people looked like small trees moving around on the ground. There was a couple arguing, and the small woman threw a turnip at the giant man. Katniss wanted to laugh, as the man looked like he wanted to push the woman onto the ground. There were parts of the city that looked so normal.

It was significantly larger than on the island of the Olvidos. The only difference was Olvidos had ports; this village was landlocked. The white palace sat on a mighty hill. Its gleaming white walls betrayed the violence it had seen and the evil that lay in the gleaming white walls that surrounded the city.

As they flew closer to the palace with its bright pristine towers and tall thick curtain walls. The tower sat on a large mound and as she flew closer she could see it was surrounded by a moat that fed into two rivers that flanked it on either side. If the castle was ever laid siege to it would have fresh water. It had four large towers with smaller towers in between; there were slits for arrows to rain down on intruders or invading armies. There were armed men walking in between the towers.

The castle was heavily fortified. The interior boasted a stone keep, a large bailey, a large stable, a massive kitchen, and a large oblong wooden building that was connected to the stone keep. Katniss guessed it was the great hall.

As she swooped by it struck Katniss, this was the place her father had died. As they flew Katniss kept count of the men she saw. She counted a hundred men. Haymitch swooped in through an open window. Katniss followed him inside. She trusted him, as they zipped past men. There were a few women who yelled in surprise as they dashed past them. As they flew through the castle Katniss counted an additional hundred men.

They flew out a window after being chased by a woman with a broom. Both Haymitch and Katniss squawked as they flew away from the castle. Back through the town and into the widow. Haymitch flew behind a screen.

Haymitch transformed himself behind the screen. Katniss flew in and perched herself on a chair. He walked out and smiled at her.

Katniss cocked her head to the side waiting for his instructions.

"Fly behind the screen, you'll find a chair there to perch yourself."

Katniss did as she was told.

"I want you to think about your human form," Haymitch said. "Think of your arms and fingers."

As he spoke Katniss concentrated on her upper body, she could feel wings withdrawing and felt her arms fill with muscles and her fingers tips elongated from the tips of her wings.

"Now your legs, think about what it feels like to walk to wiggle your toes," Haymitch said.

Katniss began to concentrate on her legs and her feet. Her talons withdrew and her feet began to form and she wiggled her toes on the cold wood floor. Her back straightened and her beak withdrew and her long dark hair flowed down her back.

"When you're transforming into an animal, you have to have to plan for clothing to be available for when you turn back," Haymitch said from the other side. He threw a cloak over the screen. She felt the material fall over her bare shoulders.

Katniss realized she was as naked as a newborn babe. Her eyes widened as she quickly arranged the cloak around her naked form. Katniss felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment.

Her clothing came sailing over the side of the screen.

Katniss quickly dressed, making sure the cloth around her chest was wound tight. She was brimming with questions. When she rounded the corner she didn't find Haymitch.

The room was filled with men. Haymitch had transformed himself into a raven and cawed flying above them.

It occurred to her that something happened to Peeta. He would have felt something was off and come to her aid. Katniss grabbed her bow but she was knocked down to the floor.

"Quickly," someone shouted. "Make sure the lad doesn't use their power."

Katniss kicks one of her attackers in the groin. Another she headbutted. Getting up she grabbed her bows and ran to the window.

"Get him," someone ordered.

She looked to see a line, she was about to jump. When strong arms grabbed her from behind and dragged her back into the room. She kicked and struggled. But the men were too strong for her.

They were trying to pin her down, she used her agility to slip through their hands.

"Enough," a voice ordered.

Katniss was about to lash out again when she heard Haymitch caw before she registered magically induced pain radiating through her body, right before she fainted.

Surprise! A very special thanks to my beta Jrosely who was able to do two chapters.

I wanted to show Katniss in flight as per the movie Lady Hawke for my friend Norbertsmom. What do you think?

I hope you're enjoying the story. Next week we catch up with Ryker and see what exactly Haymitch trained him on.