A/N: We're moving along! Getting to that 3/4 mark of the story, so almost to the end !

Enjoy, -JayOnFF

The Mockingjay. My duties are quite simple. I get dressed up in my uniform, get my makeup done to hide any imperfections and scars, and make propaganda videos for the districts, called propos. Videos to inspire hope, and inspire them to keep fighting alongside us.

Easier said than done. Effie has taken it upon herself to make me look like " the most gorgeous rebel ever." I don't see the point in this. I'm supposed to look ragged, we're at war. If you want to give the districts some hope, I should be shown fighting alongside them, not whatever this is.

But I can't argue about this. One step out of line, and there is a risk of Peeta and the others being punished, as well as me. I need to make sure everyone stays safe.

"Say the lines again, Katniss," Effie says, clearly annoyed at my dull tone. She's given me a speech to say for the districts.

"People of Panem, a war has been brewing for ages," I begin again. "A war we weren't sure we could win. A war that's been so long overdue, but now it's time to fight back. Seventy four years of sending our children off to die. Seventy four years of oppression, of neglect, and of injustice. But those days are coming to an end. Stand with the Mockingjay."

"Cut!" Plutarch says. I sigh. I'm reading the lines how they want me to, I don't know what more they want. "It isn't enough."

"I agree," Haymitch says as he walks into the room. "It isn't authentic. It isn't real. This isn't Katniss Everdeen, this isn't who the Capitol fell in love with, and this is definitely not who the districts look up to."

"Then what do you suggest?" Plutarch says as he leans back in his chair.

"We need her to fight," Haymitch says quietly. "Think about it. Every moment where Katniss has moved us has come from her being her. No acting, no lines to say. Her volunteering for Prim. Her memorial for Rue. Her saving Peeta in the Games. It was all her. And we need more authenticity for our propos."

"I suppose we could figure something out," Plutarch says. "I'll speak with President Coin about it, but I think we could send her back home, to District 12."

"Is there anything left of it?" Peeta asks. Plutarch clicks his pen a few times before answering.

"No," he says quietly. "The drones we sent earlier this week to observe the damages done to the districts showed that District 12 wasn't just a target for the mutts… The only buildings still standing, untouched, are the homes in the Victors Village and the Justice Center."

"District 12 wasn't just a target for the mutts? Do you mean President Snow as well?" Peeta asks, putting two and two together quickly.

"Precisely," Plutarch says. "We suspect a fire bombing, burning most of the buildings in the District down. There may be survivors, but none were seen on camera. President Coin planned on sending a team there sometime in the next week or two to see if there are any survivors. I'll see if we can speed that process up and have you join them Katniss."

"Okay," I say, not really having a choice on the matter.

Am I ready to see my district, my home, burned to ashes? Am I ready to see the homes of people I once knew destroyed, incinerated, leaving nothing left? Am I ready to see the bodies, torn apart by the mutts and burned by the bombs? I don't think I am, and I don't think I ever will be. But, I'm the Mockingjay, and if this is what's asked of me, I can't say no, can I?

So much turmoil in my brain as I lay restlessly. Plutarch has convinced Coin to allow our small group to go to District 12. It's been a week since she approved of his request, meaning we leave tomorrow. A week of so much progress, and I'm scared it will all revert back by going there again.

I know I don't have a choice. I know that in order to keep all of the Victors safe, including my family as well, I have to go. This is what I wanted, right? I wanted to fight, to be out there, showing the districts that I'm with them. That I'm willing to fight for them.

But in just a little over a week, things were starting to look up. Peeta's made so much progress. He can walk and run, albeit with a slight limp. Prim and him have been sorting through his memories with Dr. Aurelius, correcting any uncertainties he has. They think he's stable enough to be left unattended. He's allowed to sleep with me in my living quarters as long as he reports to the hospital daily for checkups and therapy.

I'm almost back to normal. My leg barely hurts at all anymore, I can walk and run perfectly fine. I have one more evaluation tomorrow morning to be able to go hunting with Gale in the woods. And being able to sleep with Peeta again, I'm finally able to sleep without as many nightmares, if any. But not tonight. Not with what lies ahead tomorrow. I can't even fall asleep, but if I did, I'm sure it wouldn't be for long.

"Are you okay?" Peeta whispers, running his fingers through my hair. He must have woken up.

"No," I whisper back. He hugs me closer to him. I didn't even realize I was crying until he wipes a tear from my eye. "I don't know how I'm going to deal with seeing our District tomorrow," I say.

"Me either," he whispers into my hair. "But we'll have each other."

"You're going too?" I ask, a small amount of relief easing some of the stress in my brain.

"It took some convincing, but Coin gave in," Peeta says quietly. "You made her promise I'd be by your side."

"Are you going to be okay?" I ask, realizing it's probably going to be so much worse for him. His family died in District 12…

"No," he says, repeating my answer to him. "But I'd never make you do this alone."

"Thank you," I whisper. He just hugs me tighter, gently squeezing out any of the fear keeping me awake tonight. Knowing he'll be with me calms me enough to push my worries to the back of my mind and fall asleep.


"Alright Katniss, how are you feeling?" Dr. Aurelius asks as I sit in the chair in front of his desk. If he fully clears me today, I can go hunting with Gale, as well as the mission in District 12 this afternoon.

"I feel a lot better than I did when I first got to District 13," I say, which is the truth. "And now that Peeta's been cleared to leave the hospital, I'm sleeping a lot more now too."

"I'm glad to hear it," he says as he writes something down in his notebook. "Are there times in your day to day routine that you feel overwhelmed? Do you feel anxious about regular activities, such as going to lunch?"

"Not anymore," I say, with a little less honesty this time. But he doesn't have to know that. "Like I said, I feel a lot better now."

"I see," he says. He turns off the tape recorder on his desk and leans towards me, speaking quietly. "President Coin wants me to clear you, whether you are ready or not. She doesn't think there is any more time to waste in terms of your recovery, but as your doctor, I think that's hardly fair for you."

"Perhaps it isn't," I say, trying not to say anything that will make him change his mind about clearing me.

"So tell me now Katniss, do you truly believe you're ready to be cleared? This isn't on the record at all," he says, motioning towards the recorder.

"As much as I appreciate your concern, I think the next step in my recovery is to clear me, and allow me to continue my role as the Mockingjay," I say. For once, Coin and I agree, there's no more time to waste.

"Very well," Dr. Aurelius says as he turns his recording device back on. "You've made excellent progress in your recovery, so I see no reason not to clear you fully Katniss. I'd still like to keep an eye on how you're doing, I think once a week would be sufficient. I'll let President Coin know that you're ready."

"Thank you," I say as I stand.

"My pleasure," he says. "If there is anything you and Peeta need, please don't hesitate to reach out or visit."

I nod and exit the room, letting out a breath I didn't know I was holding.

The walk to the Command Center is short, but enough time for me to overthink everything that will happen today. Definitely enough time to give me second thoughts.

The doors are already open for me when I arrive. I sit at the round table next to Peeta and Haymitch and wait for the last of the soldiers to come in.

"Guess who's joining you guys," Haymitch says. I look around the room and notice Will talking to two other soldiers. He looks way better than he did last time I saw him. It's been a while.

"Who's that?" Peeta asks. I quietly explain our escape from District 2. I can't believe I never told him, it must have slipped my mind.

"Attention," President Coin says as she stands at the front of the room. All conversations cease. "Thank you. In about an hour, the soldiers in this room will be on their way to District 12. Priority number one while you are there is to protect Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. Should anything arise, they are to be evacuated immediately."

"Priority number two is to look for survivors," Coin continues. "Colonel Boggs here will lead this team through District 12, you are all to follow his direct orders. A camera crew will be deployed as well, to capture anything that can be used for our propos."

"Lastly, and possibly most importantly, there are still mutts in the woods surrounding District 12," she says. "Keep an eye out at all times. Dismissed."

I follow the soldiers to the Armory, where our uniforms and weapons are. I change into my Mockingjay armor, only to find that Effie has been sent to give me a "makeover."

"No," I say as I walk away from her. She looks flustered, not expecting that reaction. She starts after me.

"Katniss, you do not have a choice in the matter," Effie says in a tone that tells me neither does she.

"We are at war Effie," I say. "People are dying on both sides. The people need to see me as one of them, fighting with them. Scars and all."

"Tell that to Plutarch next time you see him," she says defeatedly. I stop in my tracks and turn around, facing her. "It all seems so… Capitol. I have come to realize that. Maybe that is hypocrisy coming from me, but is this not the type of thing we are fighting against?"

"It is," I say. I follow her to the chair so she can do my makeup. Knowing she doesn't agree with it either makes it easier for me to allow it. I see Peeta across the armory getting his makeup done as well, to hide any scars left from the Capitol. We need to look perfect for the cameras.

It doesn't take long for Effie to finish, and before I know it, Peeta and I are grabbing our weapons and preparing to get into the hovercraft with the group of soldiers.

"Listen up!" Boggs yells as he steps inside too. "We're taking off in three minutes. We're far from the Capitol, but I want full alert when we step foot in District 12. If you see anything at all, call it out. This should be an easy and safe mission, but there is no room for mistakes today. Got it?"

"Yes sir," everyone says. The back door of the hovercraft slowly closes. Once I hear the click, I feel us lift off.

I look to my left and see Gale talking to Will and Haymitch. Haymitch isn't leaving the hovercraft when we get there, he has an earpiece linked to mine and Peeta's, so he'll be our eyes in the sky.

Peeta is quiet, shaking slightly. I barely notice it, but he's having a flashback. His eyes are squeezed shut, his face scrunched up in pain.

"Peeta," I whisper, trying not to draw attention towards him. I grab his hands and squeeze, whispering his name again. "Peeta, snap out of it, follow my voice."

"I'm trying," he whispers as a tear runs down his cheek.

"Please Peeta, you're okay," I whisper. "Open your eyes, look at me."

It takes a few seconds but he finally does. His cloudy blue eyes begin to clear up, and I see that he's back with me.

"Thank you," he whispers. "I'm scared of what I'll see back home."

"I know," I say quietly. "But we'll see it together. Remember that."

I feel the hovercraft slow down and begin to lower, meaning we're there.

District 12. My old home.

"Grab your weapons, we don't have much time!" Boggs yells as the door to the hovercraft opens. Peeta and I stand up and follow the soldiers outside.

Dust and ash blows around from the hovercraft's powerful propellers. As it begins to settle, I can begin to make out what's left of District 12. Almost nothing is left at all.

President Snow wanted everyone from District 12 dead.

"This is…" Peeta says as he starts slowly walking. "This was the town square…"

We're close to his family's bakery then. I can barely tell what road we're on, but Peeta knows the way. Three soldiers follow us as he leads us to the bakery.

There's nothing left of it. As we reach where the front door would have been, a soldier yells behind us. I can't make out what they're saying, so I choose to ignore it. Haymitch would have said something in my ear if it were important.

"What's that?" I ask as Peeta takes another step. A book, sitting on the group in a pile of ash, yet not burnt at all. Peeta picks it up and blows the ash off the cover.

"My family's recipe book," he says with a sad smile on his face. "All of the bread we'd bake, the meals we made with your squirrels… In this book."

He opens the cover, revealing a small, slightly flattened white rose inside. Snow.

"He was here," I say as I take a few steps back.

"Probably when he came for my family," Peeta says as he closes the book and slips it into his armor. He isn't allowed to have a weapon, per Coin's orders, but he does get a matching uniform to go with mine. It even hides his cast for his arm. Anything for the cameras.

"Another piece in his game," Peeta says quietly, referring back to that conversation we had on the roof all those months ago. "He knew we would come back here eventually. He wanted me to find this. A symbol of what I've lost…"

I wrap my arms around him, letting him know without words that I'm here for him. It's almost funny in a way, how the only one who came out of the Games able to say that he didn't lose himself in the arena, having only killed one tribute out of compassion and mercy, is the Victor who has had it the worst ever since his name was drawn in the first place. An expression Gale used to always say was that bad things happen to good people.

I couldn't agree more.

I hold him for a few more seconds before I let go. We both know we aren't able to stay here long. The longer we're here, the higher risk of Snow sending hovercrafts or mutts attacking us from the woods.

"We should probably get going," I say as we walk back into the street. The camera crew follows us, recording our every move, but I try to ignore it. "Who knows how much time we have left."

We decide to check Victor's Village next, as they seem to be the only buildings still standing in District 12. It's a decent walk away, but a slight jog speeds that up.

We enter Peeta's house first, not finding anything misplaced or missing at all. It's only then that I realize how bare his house was. How lonely he must have been.

His family didn't move with him. His dad had the bakery to run, and with his siblings both ineligible for the Games after last year, they both worked in the bakery as well to make a living, and be able to move out some day.

Of course, his mother wouldn't have moved in with him. Probably for the best.

I wish I pushed past my confused feelings for Peeta when we came home. He deserved a friend at the very least. I failed him in that regard. I'm glad at least Prim was there for him when I wasn't. She'd go over there and sit with him on the porch and talk, keeping him company. She's a better person than I am.

The only thing we find in Peeta's home that catches our eye is another white rose on the dining room table, still pristine, unwithered.

I assume I'll have one in my home as well.

And I assume correctly. Just like Peeta's home, nothing in mine is touched or missing either. The stench of the rose fills the house, almost making me nauseous. The only thing I grab is my father's hunting jacket, which Peeta offers to tuck into his armor to hold it.

I silently lead us back to the town square, remembering District 2's Justice Building being a safehouse for their citizens. Maybe what's left of District 2 did the same thing.

We walk towards the Justice Building, one of the only buildings still standing, other than Victor's Village. The soldiers open the door and sweep the rooms first before allowing us to follow. If there are any survivors, they'd be in this building.

"Did you guys check upstairs yet?" I ask as we follow them. One shakes their head no. They lead the way, sweeping rooms and kicking down doors, until I hear a scream.

"Please don't shoot!" I hear from a familiar voice. Madge Undersee. There are survivors.

"Come on," Peeta says as he runs to the room. It isn't just Madge. There's at least fifteen people in this room.

"Peeta?" a girl in the group says as she stands. It's Delly Cartwright. "It's you!"

"Katniss?" Madge says in disbelief. A few other survivors murmur their surprise as well.

"Delly," Peeta says as he hugs her. "I can't believe you're alive! It looks like a warzone out there…"

"It is a warzone Peeta," she says. "First the mutts, then the bombs… It's been a rough couple of weeks."

"I hate to cut this reunion short, but Colonel Boggs wants us outside immediately," one of the soldiers says from behind us. "Something's going on outside."

We follow the soldiers down the stairs, leading our new group of survivors as well.

Haymitch speaks into our earpieces as we reach the door. "Can you hear me? Katniss?"

"Yes, what's happening?" I ask him.

"Finally, damn headsets don't get signal in the Justice Building apparently," he complains. "Listen, you have to get back to the hovercraft. I don't know where they're coming from, but mutts are starting to pour into the district."

"Copy," I say.

"And try to shoot a few of them if you can, for the cameras," he says.

The soldiers lead us out of the building, checking our surroundings before they start to move towards the hovercraft. I hear gunshots to our right, by the train station. I'm assuming Boggs is there, fighting off the mutts.

"We aren't really in the best position," I whisper to Peeta as we walk. "There's twenty of us. We're a walking target if any mutts see us."

"I know," he says quietly. "Maybe we should have gone a few at a time…"

Noises to our left stop our conversation. I grab an arrow from my quiver just in case.

"Katniss, you have to get them to the hovercraft," Haymitch says in my ear. "The longer you're there, the more mutts I see. You're running out of time."

"What do you suggest?" I say quietly.

"You guys have to move quicker," he says. "Shoot the mutts you see and run."

"Copy," I say. I look around, trying to see if I can spot any mutts before I speak. "Haymitch says there's mutts around us. We have to move, now."

I start jogging in front of our group towards the hovercraft, waiting for the first mutt to show themselves. But I know that once we see one, there will be more. A lot more.

Peeta is behind us all, since he doesn't have a weapon. He has military grade armor on, so hopefully if anything bad happens, that will protect him.

After thirty seconds, I see the first mutt running towards us. I pull the string of my bow, an arrow aimed at it's head, and release it. I watch the body drop.

"Run, run!" I yell as I grab another arrow and shoot again. I begin running, leading the group towards the hovercraft. The soldiers around me continue to shoot as well. I don't know where these things are coming from, but they keep coming at us. I turn around to check on the group every once in a while, just to make sure they're still okay.

"Everdeen, get to the hovercraft!" I hear Boggs yell as he leads his own small group from the train stations. He isn't too far, but he's far enough that I can pretend I didn't hear him, so I choose to ignore him. I'm not getting on until everyone in my group does.

"Madge, keep running!" I yell as I see her begin to fall behind. Peeta is running next to her, trying to make sure she's okay. I don't know what the problem is, but I don't have the time to ask either. I have to keep shooting the mutts.

We aren't far from the hovercraft when Madge stops running. Peeta stops with her, trying to get her to keep going, but for some reason, she won't.

"Keep moving!" I yell to the group as I stop too, running back towards them.

"Do I have to carry you?" I hear Peeta ask, almost angrily. He crouches down so she can get on his back. "Get on! We don't have time!"

"I can't," she whispers with tears in her eyes. I keep shooting the mutts, but they're closing in. "Snow took my father. And the only way to get him back…" she trails off, opening her jacket.

She has a bomb in her jacket.

Boggs has reached us by now, shooting at the mutts alongside me. Peeta's trying to calm Madge down, but she won't stop crying.

"You don't have to do this!" Peeta says. "We're going to win this war! But if you do this, if you kill us, you'll have the blood of hundreds of future children on your hands, still condemned to kill each other in the Games. There are other ways to get your dad back, Madge."

"Give me the bomb!" Boggs yells. Everyone is on the hovercraft, besides us four. Soldiers shoot at mutts coming our way, but it isn't enough.

Madge might have killed us without even using the bomb.

She wipes her tears and slowly takes the bomb out of the holder attached to her and hands it over to Boggs. "Now move!" he yells as he starts running.

We run and shoot, trying our best to keep the mutts away from us. I can see Gale, trying his best to get free from one of the other soldiers' grip, wanting to come out and help us make it back. I've always admired that about Gale. He'll never let you go through something alone if he can help it. He'd die for me, as I'd die for him. A pact we made in the woods all those years ago.

"Shoot it Katniss!" Peeta yells as he punches a mutt. I send a bow into its skull and keep running. Peeta has one arm, the other still in the cast. I need him in front of me so I can make sure he's safe.

I let them pass me, almost at the hovercraft now. Gale has an arm out for Boggs as soon as he makes it, pulling him into the hovercraft. Madge is next, leaving me and Peeta. Boggs sends bullets at the mutts closing in on us, along with Will and a few other soldiers.

My legs burn, but I keep going. A mutt hits Peeta from his left, knocking him down. He gets back up and runs behind me now, but we're so close I can't stop now.

"Run Peeta!" I yell as I reach the hovercraft, being pulled in by Gale.

I turn around and shoot another mutt with my last regular arrow. Peeta's still a couple feet away, and the mutts are closing in fast.

"Shit!" Boggs says as he leans out of the hovercraft and throws something behind Peeta. It was the bomb.

"Run!" I yell, realizing that bomb might kill us all. I reach my arm out and grab Peeta as it blows up.

Peeta and I get knocked back from the explosion, but we're inside the hovercraft. We're safe, that's all I care about.

He isn't moving on top of me though. "Peeta?" I ask as I shake him gently. He groans lightly, which causes me to laugh. He's alive. Probably in a lot of pain, but alive.

"Madge, are you kidding me?" Haymitch asks as he walks into this part of the hovercraft. "You think your father would have wanted that? He was willing to die for this rebellion, that was the last thing he would have wanted!"

"I don't know, I-"

"Give her a break," Boggs says quietly. "War makes you do things you regret. Important thing is that she didn't do it. We're all alive, no casualties. We can talk about that soon."

"I can't believe we made it," I whisper to Peeta.

"All thanks to you," he says. He still hasn't moved, but I'm not complaining.

"You were pretty badass out there too," I say with a laugh. "Punching those mutts and all."

"Listen up!" Boggs says loudly as he stands. "Castor and Pollux, I want those tapes wiped of anything that could look incriminating. Especially what happened with her," he points towards Madge. "President Coin, for whatever reason, wants Katniss and Peeta gone. We aren't going to allow that to happen."

"What do you mean, wants them gone?" Gale asks.

"She can't control Katniss. She can't control any of the Victors, and she doesn't like that, so the easiest way to change that is by getting rid of them. I want everyone on this hovercraft doing their best to protect them."

Peeta's gotten off of me now, sitting up next to me as we listen. It seems we aren't as safe as we thought at District 13.

"Before we make it back to 13, I need you all to promise me nothing will happen to either of them on our watch," Boggs continues. "As loyal as I am to the rebels, I don't agree with some of their methods and morals. I think Katniss, Peeta, and all of the other Victors have been through enough. I don't believe they deserve to be treated as disposable anymore."

"I agree," Will says as he stands up. Gale does the same, followed by the rest of the soldiers. Maybe we aren't as safe here in District 13, but there are people looking after us.


Other than Gale, Madge was my only friend in District 12. We would eat lunch together, enjoying each other's silence. Sometimes we'd talk about various things, but most of the time, we just enjoyed each other's company. I considered Madge my friend.

But that was before she almost blew us up today. As I lay in bed next to Peeta, a thought keeps popping into my head. One that scares me.

If Madge, someone we grew up with in District 12, was willing to kill us today, who else is willing to do the same? Delly? Effie? We already know President Coin is willing to.

Peeta and I are far from safe in District 13. We have people looking after us, but we might have people coming after us as well. The thing that scares me the most is there is no way of knowing who it could be until something happens, and that is only if there really is someone coming after us. I might just be acting paranoid for no reason as well.

The next morning, me and Peeta are urgently called into the Command Center during breakfast. Whatever it is, it can't be good. We practically run there, entering the room and sitting down quickly. Notably, President Coin is not present in the room. It is only Colonel Boggs and Haymitch.

The screen begins to play as we sit, an image of Madge's father popping up. My heart drops, realizing what this is.

"No…" I whisper.

"Madge Undersee, we had a deal," President Snow says into the camera. "You would rid us of the Mockingjay in exchange for your father's safety." A video of Madge giving the bomb to Boggs plays. "But clearly our deal meant nothing to you."

"Please don't…" Mr. Undersee quietly says, fear engraved into his face, tears forming in his eyes. I hear a click behind the camera.

"This is a warning for all rebels," President Snow says calmly. "All of you will meet the same fate if you don't turn yourselves in immediately. This can end just as easily as it started."

The screen goes black before a loud bang sounds.

Mr. Undersee is dead.

A/N: Finally, they're both cleared and able to fully participate in the war now! Hopefully this chapter was good, I think things are moving along more now, we'll start getting into the war head on now!

-JayOnFF