Hello again everyone. I'm so so sorry for not updating the story sooner but I have been doing my gcse's and I finish school forever this Friday so I will have loads of time to write and get on with the story. Thank you all for being so patient. Okay so I have shortened the Reaping's to help speed the story up but you still get a feel of the tributes personalities so I hope you enjoy. Here we have District two and it's tributes Adira Lépou and Gryphon Crowne submitted by Mon Devou and The Pocketwatch Ripper. Thank you Lady Raksha for Beta reading this chapter.

Adira Lépou - 16

Taking a deep breath I loaded my bow with a dull metal arrow then crouched underneath a make shift bush. Today was reaping day and I'm planning to volunteer this year despite the training centre already choosing an older girl from my class. Her name is Mirror and she may be able to throw a spear from over fifty feet but when it comes to making friends and surviving in harsh environments she isn't what I would call gifted. I may only be sixteen but I am the best archer in the district and I am nimble and quick. Others won't stand a chance in the arena and besides it's in my blood to become a victor like my cousin Jonah did seven years ago. Although his weapon of choice was a mace.

I'm very proud of my family and I wanted them to be proud of me. My beautiful courageous older sister was chosen by the District to volunteer last year. She seemed like the perfect choice and did exceptionally well throughout the games gaining adoring fans and rich sponsors until of course the final nine when she was stabbed in the back by her own district partner. I won't make the same mistake as Sabina though and although I miss her very much I can see why she didn't win. Trust is a very powerful thing and can be very dangerous especially in the arena.

Remembering that I still had another ten or so minutes before I had to shower off and get ready for the reaping, I sit still under the false bush and wait for a target. It could be anything for a person wearing body armour to a real animal. I adjusted the quiver on my back and settled in a comfy crouching position staying alert and keeping my bow drawn. I sat like that for awhile and my arm began to shake. I sighed softly, waiting was awful. I can't stand waiting but if you want to be the best then you must learn to be patient. Finally I heard the sound of soft footsteps creeping along the carpeted floor; it must be an animal as its gait was lively. I smiled and edged forwards with anticipation. I liked to have power and nothing made me feel more powerful than when it was just me and my bow hunting whatever's out there.

The bush opposite me rustled a couple of times and I stretched my bow back as far as it would go waiting for whatever beast my trainer has chosen. I see two brown ears poke through the trees and I don't wait any longer. My arrow sails across the clearing designed to look like clearing form an arena and hits the rabbit that has just hopped out straight between its eyes. It drops dead instantly and I feel disappointed. That's it? A measly old rabbit without a single splash of blood. I guess it shows I have a clean shot but I was expecting something a little more challenging seeing as it was reaping day today. I stand up and do a couple of lunges to stop my legs tingling from pins and needles that had just come on and see my groups trainer Alder standing in front of me. Most of the girls didn't come in today as they are aware that they won't be picked to volunteer at anytime or they just are not bloodthirsty enough to commit.

"Good Job Adira. With an aim as impressive as yours I wouldn't be surprised if you were chosen to represent us when you are eighteen" He says with a rare smile. A smile doesn't suit his stone cold features with a hooked nose but my mother had always raised me to be as polite and as well mannered as I could possibly be so I smiled back.

"Thank you sir," I said softly bowing my head feeling slightly insulted that he didn't think I could do it this year. Well I would just have to prove him wrong.

"You better clean up and shower off now. Can't have you being late. Remember to hang up your bow and I'll see you tomorrow. We have some evaluators in to decide who will need the extra training to possibly volunteer in the next two years. I've put your name down," he says looking at the rabbit.

"Would you like me to clean it up sir? I will have time to change afterwards," I offer politely although I don't wish to go near the creature.

"No, no I'll get someone to do it later now of you go."

I thank him and he goes off to talk to a couple of girls who also came in today so I hang my bow with quiver in the room full of weapons next door. Then I head back to the girls changing room and peel out of my sweaty tank top and practical black cropped leggings. Folding my clothes in a neat pile I grab a towel from a small pile and take a quick shower (with cold water of course).

I think of Sabina as I struggle to get the hair tie out of my dark brown hair. My hair wasn't very long and I always kept it up in a bun or a ponytail but it was a practical length sweeping down to my shoulders. I wonder if she was buzzing with excitement or if she felt that she couldn't do. I'm not over confident and I don't underestimate people like Sabina frequently did but I know I have a strong chance of winning the games this year. I scrub my body clean of any grime and dirt then I wash my hair with a coconut shampoo and conditioner left out in the shower block.

Soon after that I get out as I dislike taking long showers and making my skin shrivel up. Rubbing myself dry with a thin grey towel I pick up my small red sports bag that contains my reaping outfit. I can't take the bag to the reaping so I guess I'll just shove it in my locker when I leave. Inside the bag is a pure white cotton gown that makes me look innocent and sweet which I guess was my smile. It also bought out the flecks of green and blue in my eyes. Also in the bag is a smile pearl necklace that has been in our family for decades. It was Sabina's token and it shall be mine to.

I slipped the dainty dress on and secured the necklace my heart swelling with pride to think that in under an hour I would be on my way to the Capitol along with my district partner. I knew a brutish boy had been selected, but they were all so similar I couldn't think which one it was. Maybe Skull as he was very talented with a scythe or possibly Gryphon who was lethal with a sword. As it's a special occasion I leave my hair lose and wavy, rubbing it dry with a towel. After putting my shoes on I shove my bag in my training locker and head out to the reaping. When I win I will finally stop being hassled by my mother about manners and how important they are. I hurried along as I was meeting my friends at the Reaping square and I hated being late.

I am confident that I will succeed where Sabina failed. I smiled to myself as I left the building feeling of hope, desire and the urge to succeed bubbling up inside me with every step. I turn around and take one last look at my training centre and I give it a small wave then calmly walk away for what may be the last time except I won't let that happen I mean If you have the skills then why let them go to waste, right?

Gryphon Crowne - 17

"Gryphon we have to sign in now. We can't have District Two's latest victor missing the beginning of the Reaping now can we," my friend Anne teases standing up and stretching her long tanned legs.

Anne, myself, and my only other friend Jakob were sitting on the grass watching many children rush to sign in on time for the reaping. They were all dressed in their best clothes with looks of determination and excitement on their faces. People especially chaotic unorganized people irritated me, but I could always tolerate Anne and Jakob. Anne trained every day with Jakob and myself but she was lazy and would never be chosen to volunteer. However Jakob was the only person I knew that took training as seriously as myself and he was also the only person my dad approved of to be a friend. He always told me that friends were a distraction and forming emotional attachments would make me weak and vulnerable. I know exactly what I am to my father – an experiment. He noticed that however brutal tributes from out district were; whenever they lost it was their emotions that let them down not their skills. He experimented with me, not my older brother or younger sister, but me by pushing me past the limit frequently. Whenever I did something wrong there would be harsh punishments and beatings. If he knew about Anne he would be furious. I guess I should be thanking him as I am strong and I have been made to win these games. I plan to volunteer this year as my dad thinks I am finally ready and I intend to win.

"Hello Gryphon. Are you still with us?" Jakob says waving a hand across my face. "Lost in thought as always."

I clamber to my feet stretching my long limbs and scratch my head. "As far as I'm aware I've always been here" I reply sarcastically as we travel towards the small lines of children having their fingers pricked.

"So what do you think the arena will be like this year?" Anne asks brushing strands of grass of her short red dress. I feel heat flood to my cheeks as I watch her, maybe I'm getting sick. That would be unfortunate seeing as in a couple of hours I will be in the Capitol and I aim to make a good first impression.

"Um not a forest, I know that for sure. Maybe something water based or tropical," I muse dropping out of the conversation. I spent a lot of time thinking about the possible arena's the past few days and I'm worried the Gamemakers will do something extreme as the past couple of years have been extremely plain. I heard that now there's a new head gamemaker this year. I guess if the previous head gamemaker should have worked harder if he valued his life.

We reach one of the registration tents and Jakob goes first wordlessly holding his finger out for a sample of blood to be taken. Anne goes next and flinches when her blood is taken and finally it's my turn. I watch fascinated as the dark red liquid is drawn from my finger, I've always been interested in unusual things. My dad always told me to focus on my goal and nothing else and ignore any distractions that may appear but sometimes I can't help it. When my blood is taken I step back and follow my friends towards the main square entrance.

"Well Good luck Gryphon. I know you will do all of us proud. I'll visit you later, but after your dad has left," Anne says cheerily but her eyes betray her chirpy tone. Was it worry or concern I could see? I've never been very good at reading other people's emotions but I don't need to be to succeed.

"Thanks," I'm unsure if it would be appropriate to give her a hug but I decide against it. Displays of public affection are unusual in District Two and I wouldn't want my dad and family who are in the crowd somewhere to spot me.

"Well bye then," she says awkwardly and I look at the ground.

"Bye," I mumble and Jakob coughs.

"Alright Jakob, sorry we haven't spoken in hmm thirty four seconds. How are you coping?" I say sarcastically and he rolls his eyes.

"See you later Anne. Come on you need to be near the front so you can get on that stage before anyone else can," Jakob says shoving people aside ignoring their scowls as we pass. "Are you excited?"

"Yup. I've been waiting for this my all my life, in fact it is my entire life. I am unsure of what I would be without the games" I say confidently. Ever since I could walk my dad has shown me how to survive and fight. He helped me dull my emotions and focus on what is important in life.

"What about the career alliance?"

I sigh. We have talked about this before. "Look I'm not changing my mind. I am going to go it alone. They would only slow me down, make me weak and then I would lose. Is that what you want?" I challenge him and Jakob runs a hand through his short hair.

"No, I just think you would be better off with them," he says slowly and I feel my temper begin to rise. I then count down from ten to calm down. My dad has shown me many deaths that are the result of anger and losing your temper so I have been trying very hard to keep my emotions contained. My dad and I both agreed the best strategy was to go it alone and I wasn't suddenly going to change my mind.

"Well I don't think I would and that's what matters," I say firmly and Jakob backs down.

Eventually our old escort, Frieda, struts on stage wearing an alarming animal print suit, her green skins making her look as if she isn't human. I stand up straight as we watch an old video, my finger tingling with excitement. I was made for this and I just want to get up on that stage and show everyone what I can do. The video finish and I focus intently on what Frieda is saying. She has stepped forwards and is now standing in between two glass bowls with everyone eligible to be reaped's name inside.

"As always ladies first," she says in her stupid accent reaching for a name. She triumphantly pulls a slip from the girls bowl and pauses for dramatic effect. She doesn't get to read the name out as a girl rushes forwards.

"I volunteer," she says breathlessly and is followed by another girl screeching.

"No I volunteer as tribute." the girls size each other up and look like they are about to break into a fight when another smaller girls walks straight past the pair and up onto the stage. She brushes her brown hair out of her eyes and steps up towards the microphone.

"My name is Adira Lépou and I volunteer as tribute," she says smiling.

I frown, she has a kind smile. Kind people do not last long in The Hunger Games but then again she is from District Two so maybe it's an act to make her seem weaker than she is and when everyone's backs are turned she will strike. I don't have to take risks like that as I won't be in the career alliance. The two girls look up in disbelief to see another girl standing in their place. One girl accepts defeat and trudges of with tears in her eyes but the other doesn't give up so easily.

"I was chosen specially to volunteer," she argues but seems to realize that she is making the district as well as herself look foolish. Adira doesn't even look at the girl below her but waves to the crowd still smiling. I get ready to rush up to the stage when I see the girl being escorted away by a Peace Keeper.

"Fabulous fabulous and now for the boys," Frieda shifts over and reaches for a name but I have already started moving.

"I volunteer as tribute," I say my voice displaying no emotion. I deliberately walk up to the stage slowly giving everyone an eerie smile as I pass, fear makes you weak and I want to be feared.

"What's your name dear," I give Frieda a dark glare as I flex my muscles slightly.

"Gryphon Crowne" I say. She nods and claps her hands.

"Let's hear it for our tributes this year. Gryphon Crowne and Adira Lépou. Shake hands and may the odds be ever in your favor."

I shake hands with Adira and she smiles at me. Odd, she isn't afraid despite my grip over her tiny fingers. I could break every bone in her body if I wanted to and I guess when the time comes I will. I have worked hard to get this far and nothing is going to stop me now.

Okay so what did you think of the tributes? I'm curious.