AN/ I'm so sorry this took so long. I have no excuse other than breaking my charger for my laptop. But the new one has finally arrived and I can write again. I also broke up with my boyfriend, but that's a minor concern lol.

I don't think i'm happy with this chapter, but I was so behind on writing that I just had to get something out. Seriously I hate this, you know when you write something and read it back and it feels like someone else did it?

At the end of this chapter is a cliff hanger. What I need to know is this, do you want explicit drug induced sex in the next chapter, or not? Or should I write the smut as a seperate scene? Tell me what you want! The cliff hanger wasn't meant to be a tease.

Shout outs: Thank you to everyone that reviewed. I promise to continue with my individual replies in the next chapter. But right now I figured you'd just want to get on with the new chapter. Please keep reviewing, I love hearing from you guys, and I really need your opinion for the beggining of the next chapter. Smut? Or after sex awkwardness?

Peeta had recently found a brand new thing to hate. Trees. They were stupid, uncomfortable, and completely useless. Well, not completely useless. There was that Oxygen making thing that they did, and they made pretty good shelter from the weather, plus when it came to hiding from deadly carnivores they were good to have around.

Peeta knew it wasn't really the tree's fault, but he was bored! He'd been stuck in the same place for the whole night. In the end he'd been forced to sleep, by tying himself to the trunk of the tree with the rope in his pack. When he'd woken up the next morning his muscles had been stiff, and his ass was numb from sitting on a branch all night. The raptors were gone though, which was a huge relief. But that relief quickly faded when he started climbing down and all four of the reptiles came darting out of the nearby grass. They'd almost got him, but luckily he'd been cautious and had managed to get back up the tree in time.

Still, it was saying a lot that they'd actually tried to ambush him. Clearly they were a lot more than just dumb lizards, because something like that took intelligence. It would have been seriously embarrassing if he'd died, by being outwitted by creatures that were supposed to be extinct. The fuckers had even tried the same trick twice, pretending to leave just to lure him down. He knew that they would have to give up eventually, but with the constant fake outs he wouldn't know for sure if they were gone or not. Peeta needed a plan, something to act as a distraction, but he didn't know what he could do from up in a tree. His options were limited.

Commotion below him caught his attention, and he noticed that the raptors had perked up. The creatures began eagerly sniffing at the air, their vindictive eyes gleaming in eagerness. As one, they turned in the direction that Peeta had come from the previous evening, staring avidly. Then, rather unexpectedly, they scampered in the other direction vanishing into the grass once again. Peeta wasn't sure what was going on, but he didn't try climbing down just yet. It could be another attempt to trick him.

If he got down into the clearing he also had another problem. When he'd gone charging through the grass the day before, he'd been focussed on escaping his pursuers. Now he was wary to enter it again. Those raptors were lethal and there was no telling how many of them were running around out here. There could even be things far worse.

Peeta had seen mutts used in previous games, but ones as dangerous as the ones he'd encountered were usually saved for the end. Often they were part of the finale. He was very suspicious of the fact that he'd entered the quarter of the arena with the deadliest threat in it. Surely the other quadrants must have something equally as dangerous? That was an unsettling thought. He'd been more than prepared for the other tributes and anything that they could throw at him. But he didn't anticipate that the arena would be this dangerous on only the first day.

The thought of the Cornucopia being on an island, acting as a nexus point to connect the four parts of the arena, suddenly sent a chill down his spine. He'd assumed they'd set it up that way because any tribute that couldn't swim would have to cross there, if they wanted to go to another section at least. The Careers always made base camp at the giant horn, which meant they'd catch other tributes a lot more easily. They'd also be able to better track what section of the arena the other tributes were in. But what if they built it that way for another reason? Had they put the Cornucopia in the middle of the rivers to keep it out of reach of the dangers of the arena? What had they put in here that could be that dangerous?

He shook those thoughts off. This incident with the raptors had just shaken him up, because he'd been unprepared. From now on he'd be more cautious, but not paranoid, he had to keep a clear head.

Peeta wasn't sure why the damn lizards had disappeared again, but he'd give it a few minutes before attempting to climb down.

Suddenly a boisterous shout broke the silence, catching his attention. Peeta's eyes widened in realisation. He now knew why the raptors had concealed themselves again. A vicious smirk crossed his face, as he glanced from where the animals had disappeared to the direction he'd come from yesterday, the direction of the Cornucopia.

And cue the distraction!

Things in camp were filled with anticipation that morning. They were finally going hunting! Although their prey wasn't exactly what Cato would prefer, he still couldn't help but be excited about the prospect. He just hoped that Peeta was ready for them, because they were gunning straight for him. Cato hoped that the blonde would somehow evade them, then he could encourage the others to find an easier target. He was still hoping for a chance to get what he wanted from Peeta before the end of the games.

He wasn't sure why it was so important. Cato didn't even really know the other boy. On some level, he was aware that he wanted just a brief taste of him, because of the potential that was there. Deep down Cato was a romantic, and he knew exactly what he looked for in another person. Peeta was strong, confident, smart, gorgeous and all around spunky. He was near perfect, but luckily he had the whole 'crazy' thing going on, so he wasn't too perfect. But still, if he'd met the other boy outside of the games he knew he'd want him. It was the thought of what 'could be' that drew him to Peeta.

Cato had come here to win the Hunger Games. He'd prepared for this for years. He may be attracted too Peeta, but he wouldn't throw everything away for a relative stranger. The other Careers wouldn't like it if he put them off hunting for the 'Boy on Fire', and he wanted to keep their alliance for as long as he needed it. If the looks that Clove was giving him were any indication, then she was well aware of what had happened between him and the other blonde during the bloodbath. She'd probably side with him over the others, but only if he was being practical. There was no other choice, he'd have to kill him.

''You ready for this?'' Clove asked him.

The look on the girls face was intense, she was probably analysing his expression. He schooled his features into determination and nodded. That seemed to satisfy her.

''If it makes you feel any better, we won't play around with him. And I promise that you won't have to do it.'' She murmured.

Cato wasn't sure what she meant by that. He wasn't so attached to the idea of the other boy, that he'd hesitate when the time came for the killing blow.

''I'll be fine Clove, no tribute is going to get any special treatment from me.'' He assured her.

His partner didn't look entirely convinced, but he could care less what she thought. In the end, even she would have to die so that he could become the victor. It was time to be the Career he was trained to be. No more ridiculous sentimentality.

''OK people, lets get this show on the road.'' Cato barked.

The other Careers scrambled to their feet, with their weapons at the ready. Damn right, they should obey his orders. They weren't taking much equipment with them, apart from a small amount of food and some first aid supplies. It was best to travel light and they were planning to return by evening.

''How are those mines coming along twerp?'' He demanded, causing the boy from three to jump.

''Um, I-I've managed to rewire about half of them. The others will be done by tonight.'' Kwik hedged nervously.

Cato nodded in acceptance. He was reluctantly impressed that the kid had gotten them done so fast, but he wasn't about to praise him for it. They still needed to see if the mines would even work, but if they did then the boy had bought himself a few days of life in exchange. The plan for the mines was to plant them at the ends of the bridges, in such a way that only the Career pack would be able to navigate a path through them. That way their supplies would be safe if they left, and the other tributes would be unable to use the bridges to switch zones whilst they were off hunting.

''Someone will have to stay here and guard the Cornucopia, at least until the mines are finished.'' Cato decided, just to be safe.

The others exchanged reluctant looks. They all knew that there was no point in leaving the kid from three by himself, if Thresh or Peeta came along then he wouldn't stand a chance. This did bring up another issue however.

''Who's left alive apart from us?'' He demanded.

They'd all watched the sky last night during the anthem, but at the time they'd been more interested in pointing out who they'd killed rather than who was left alive.

''There are still thirteen of us.'' Glimmer offered.

He sneered at her unhelpful comment. Cato didn't know who that girl thought she was fooling with the idiot act.

''Well there's eight of us here. So that means there are only five tributes to hunt down.'' Marvel pointed out.

That was true. With the temporary additions of Katniss and the kid, they had a larger than usual pack this year. Usually only four or five Careers made it out of the bloodbath. The fact that there were eight of them in one place was pretty rare.

''We know that the 'Boy on Fire' is still out there. And that big bastard from eleven.'' Treasure growled.

The District Four tributes were going to get themselves killed with that pathetic little grudge of theirs. It would make them sloppy and overconfident, making them easy prey for their stronger opponents.

''The girl from Seven escaped as well, and that fox faced girl from Five.'' Clove added after a moment.

Cato vaguely recalled the red head, but he couldn't quite place the girl from Seven. Not that the two of them mattered, as they were far from being a threat. There was still one tribute left, but Cato couldn't remember who.

''The girl from Eleven.'' Katniss spoke up.

Her voice was a mere whisper. It was obvious that she was reluctant to point out the girls continued existence. When Cato finally remembered the child, he understood her reluctance. The kid from Eleven barely looked ten years old, she was tiny. Tributes like her and the boy from three shouldn't be put into the games, they were too young to even be entertaining.

''So that's everyone then?'' Marvel asked rhetorically.

After a few moments of thought, they silently agreed that they'd remembered everyone.

''Seems like it.'' Clove affirmed.

''I doubt any of the girls will come anywhere near here, unless they're really stupid. Thresh will be the only one to worry about, unless Peeta somehow gets passed us.'' Cato summarised

The others glanced at him in confusion for some reason. He wondered if they had trouble understanding simple English.

''Peeta?'' Xander repeated.

''It has a name now?'' Treasure scoffed disgustedly.

Cato instantly realised his mistake. But he also left himself a way out.

''I used Thresh's name as well, you morons. It's easier than calling them 'the boy from such and such'.'' He sneered.

Hearing that, they looked convinced by his words and more than a little sheepish. Glimmer and Clove however, were eyeing him suspiciously. He had to take care of this Peeta situation quickly. Once the other boy was dead, it'd be easier to forget about him and stop making a fool of himself.

''Now who's staying here with the brat?'' Cato demanded.

Katniss opened her mouth to volunteer, but he quickly cut her off.

''Except you! You said you can track, that's the only reason you're here, so you're coming with us.'' He growled.

She scowled at him, but didn't argue any further, which was a smart move on her part.

''I'll stay. I may as well enjoy the sun while it's out.'' Glimmer offered with a put upon sigh.

Cato wasn't sure he trusted the bimbo alone with their supplies, but the others didn't seem to have a problem with it. Then again she was probably happy to get out of doing any hard work, and staying at the Cornucopia reduced any personal risk to her.

''Fine then, now that's sorted we can get this show on the road.'' Clove agreed.

She abruptly stomped off down the bridge to the grass quadrant, with Cato and the other four following after her. He quickly stepped forward to walk beside his partner. Marvel and the tributes from Four trundled along in their wake, while Katniss brought up the rear.

''Get up here Twelve, and start tracking!'' Cato snapped at the girl.

Katniss stomped ahead of him moodily, earning a snort of amusement from Clove. He didn't see what was so difficult about doing the job she'd agreed to do. Once she was no longer of use they'd kill her, so the girl should to be a little more eager to please.

The girl from Twelve led them into the long grass, where Peeta had vanished the day previously. It became obvious which way the boy had gone, because of the clear path made through the plant life around them.

They followed the straight trail for several minutes before they came to a clearing. There was nothing overly suspicious there, but the girl leading them looked confused for some reason.

''What's wrong?'' Clove prompted, noticing her expression.

Katniss hesitated before answering, her eyes darting around the clearing.

''There's only one trail leading away from the clearing.'' She began, pointing out the obvious gap in the grass on their right hand side.

''So what? We know which way he went!'' Treasure snarled.

The dark haired girl shook her head.

''Peeta couldn't have made a trail that size on his own. And there's more than one trail leading into the clearing, but only the one leading out. See the way the grass is bent?'' Katniss continued.

Cato quickly saw what she was getting at. The grass at the edges had several gaps in it, like something had pushed it outwards as it entered the open area. But only the one gap had the grass pointing in the other direction.

''Something else was here. Something at least as big as a person. And they all left in exactly the same direction...including Peeta.'' The girl muttered.

''Is that blood?'' Marvel blurted.

Cato followed to where the boy was pointing. On the ground at the Career's feet, was a rusty brown stain. It was large, indicating that something had bled out there. They knew it couldn't be Peeta, because they hadn't heard a cannon. But there was no sign of anything being dragged away either.

''What do you think?'' Clove asked, as she slipped a pair of knives into her hands.

''Don't know. But I think there's something out here, and Peeta killed one. The gamemakers must have removed whatever it was before we arrived.'' Cato replied.

He wondered what it was. Clearly there had been more than one and they had chased Peeta out of the clearing. The boy must have killed one of them, but deemed the others dangerous enough that he'd fled rather than continued fighting.

''Keep your guard up. We don't know what's out here.'' He ordered.

The others nodded obediently, and this time Cato led the way as they left the clearing. The path they followed this time, looked like something had barged it's way through the grass in a hurry. But they didn't come across any evidence of another fight. They walked for almost ten minutes before they reached the end of the trail.

The group emerged into yet another clearing, much like the first one. The only difference this time was a number of trees on the far side. That, and the boy sitting in one, swinging his feet back and forth.

''Hey losers! I thought I smelled something like failure mixed with BO.'' Peeta greeted them, waving cheerfully.

Cato blinked at him. There was something very off putting, about finding the boy they were searching for waiting calmly in a tree. He even appeared happy to see them! Cato was right, the guy was completely bat-shit insane.

''We found you!'' The boy from Four crowed.

Peeta looked at him in disdain.

''What do you want, a fucking medal?'' He sneered.

Cato bit back a snort of amusement at that comment. The boy from Four fumed and began advancing towards the tree, with his district partner following. Clove and Marvel followed them, but Cato hung back for a moment. Katniss kept away as well and instead loaded her bow in readiness.

He found himself disappointed. Peeta couldn't even fight back from his current position, and he was an easy target for a spear, knife, or arrow. It was over so easily, and he'd actually entertained the thought that Peeta might elude them. But instead there he was, just sitting in a fucking tree. Cato couldn't believe someone who'd seemed so smart could do something so fucking stupid...

''Wait, why are you up there?'' Cato demanded, alarm bells ringing in his mind.

Peeta's smile was pure evil. He beamed down at them happily, the expression was so breathtaking that Cato almost missed the warning chill of danger trickling down his spine. The others were gathered beneath the tree oblivious, but Clove and Marvel at least looked troubled by Cato's words.

''Yeah, are you fucking stupid? Didn't you realise we'd easily find you, sitting up there in the open?'' Treasure mocked him.

The girls amusement fled quickly when they heard Peeta's response.

''Actually...I was counting on it.'' He purred.

Cato wasn't sure what happened. At Peeta's words Katniss suddenly screamed, and he made the mistake of looking in her direction. As soon as he turned, a heavy weight slammed into his back, knocking him to the harshly to the ground. He heard the others screaming, but before he could try and throw the weight off of him someone beat him to it.

Once he was no longer pinned, Cato blurred to his feet and drew his sword. He almost couldn't believe what he found himself faced with. Next to him was what could only be described as a fucking dinosaur. The knife protruding from the base of it's skull told him that Clove had been watching his back. Another lay dead not far away, with one of Katniss's arrows sticking out of it's eye. Marvel was managing to hold another at bay with his spear, whilst Clove lay nearby appearing dazed and clutching her head.

Treasure was also down and the bloody gauges on her back showed that one of the creatures had gotten it's talons into her. Cato believed she was just unconscious, since he hadn't heard a cannon fire. Xander was nowhere to be seen, but that didn't seem to matter, as a fourth reptile was currently barrelling towards Cato with a shriek of rage.

Cato brought his sword up and slashed at the advancing raptor. The creature nimbly leapt backwards, avoiding the strike. Cato didn't let up however. He advanced, twirling his blade in complex arcs, that served to confuse his opponent. The animal continued to retreat, watching the spinning sword warily. After a moment Cato let up on his assault, swinging the weapon to the side and leaving himself open to attack. The raptor took the bait and lunged for his unprotected body, but it didn't see the knife in Cato's other hand. As it charged him with it's claws extended, the boy leaned to the side and lashed out, burying his shorter blade into the reptile's neck. It didn't have much time to register the attack however, as with a double handed grip Cato raised his sword and brought it swishing down. The razor sharp metal sliced cleanly through flesh and bone, neatly decapitating the beast in a shower of blood.

Everything had all happened so quickly that Cato was briefly stunned into inaction. The other animal had been subdued, and now lay with Marvel's spear lodged in it's throat. Clove seemed to be quickly recovering her faculties. Katniss had moved to check on Treasure, though she was giving the corpses of the raptors a wide berth.

Velociraptors! There were fucking dinosaurs in the arena. This was awesome! It had never been done before, this years games would be talked about for years to come! It made the Career wonder what else was out there in the other three areas.

Cato was suddenly very glad he'd been with the others. If a lone tribute came across those things they'd be fucked. No wonder Peeta had...Peeta! Cato's eyes darted to the branch where the boy had been sitting, but he was already gone. He wanted to laugh at the bastards cunning. Those creatures had obviously been the ones that had chased the younger boy earlier. They had been waiting for Peeta to come down from the tree, and the blonde had used them as a distraction to escape again. He really was a ruthless little shit.

Suddenly a boy's scream and the blast of a cannon split the air, making them all snap to attention. Cato glanced at the others. Who, apart from Marvel, didn't look ready to move yet. Katniss looked to be in some sort of mild shock.

''Stay here!'' He barked, before running off in the direction of the scream.

As soon as the raptors attacked the other tributes, Peeta made his move. Grabbing the branch below him, he jumped and swung, landing lightly on the ground. He quickly checked his equipment was secure, then he hauled ass as fast as he could away from the Careers and their new friends. He forced his way through the dense brush, moving as quickly as he could away from the conflict.

He heard feet pounding along behind him, alerting him to the fact that he had a follower. But at least it sounded like a human. He could handle a human. Not bothering with his bow, Peeta instead drew his daggers and stopped running.

As he spun around, he was briefly surprised at his pursuers identity. He'd expected Clove, looking for a rematch, or Cato looking for...another kind of rematch. Instead he found the boy from Four charging at him, with his spear raised to run him through. Peeta mentally scoffed. It was about time he dealt with this little prick.

The taller boy thrust his weapon forward as soon as he was close enough, but the blonde neatly sidestepped, easily avoiding the attack. Peeta quickly sheathed his right hand knife and reached out, grabbing the shaft of his opponents weapon. The boy's eyes widened, as the blonde yanked him forward and twisted the spear from his grasp. He lashed out with a vicious punch, that Peeta batted aside effortlessly, before responding with a harsh knee too the other's ribs. The tribute doubled over with a strangled gasp of pain. Peeta didn't stop though, he reached out and grabbed a fistful of the other boys hair before wrenching his head back and driving his face into his kneecap with a sickening crunch.

His opponent fell backwards with a cry of pain, blood dripping from a now broken nose. Droplets of crimson ran into his mouth, staining his teeth and giving him an appearance of madness as he snarled like a rabid dog. The boy staggered to his feet, eyeing the spear that Peeta had tossed several feet away.

''You think you're so fucking great don't you?'' He spat venomously.

Peeta shrugged.

''Yep, pretty much.'' The blonde replied easily.

The other tribute scowled and began circling him, looking fruitlessly for an opening. Peeta watched him, completely unconcerned.

''Well you're not! People only like you because you strut around like a fucking whore!'' The boy hissed.

Peeta laughed at that. He'd heard far worse directed at him. Hell Johanna and Haymitch said worse to him, as a method of greeting. This moron would have to try much harder than that.

''I'm not a whore...whore's get paid.'' Peeta calmly refuted.

His enemy made a hacking noise, and spat a glob of blood and saliva on the ground at his feet. Peeta wrinkled his nose in mild distaste. Did he have to mess up the arena with his bodily fluids?

''I guess Odair wouldn't have to pay you for it, would he?'' The boy sneered.

The blonde rolled his eyes at that comment.

''Why does everyone think i'm sleeping with Finnick? Although, I suppose it's technically true in the literal sense.'' Peeta replied thoughtfully.

His opponent seemed thrown off by that, and simply gaped at him. It was true though, he and Finnick slept together in the same bed all the time. And they rarely wore much clothing when they did. Come to think of it, was that a normal thing for friends to do? Peeta didn't really have many friends, and the ones he did have weren't exactly normal, so he couldn't really judge. But he and Finnick did kiss and cuddle a lot, which was definitely a friendly thing to do!

Dismissing thoughts of his bronze haired friend, for now, he decided to rub some bullshit into his opponents wounds.

''It's funny that you'd bring up Finny. Just the other night when he was fucking me through the mattress, he mentioned you! He was saying how worthless you and your partner were and how you're both embarrassments to your district. I think he mumbled something else, but he was a little busy moaning my name, so it was hard to make out. But I think I caught the words 'dumbfuck mamma's boy' mixed in there somewhere.'' Peeta recalled thoughtfully.

''I'll fucking kill you, you stupid little bastard!'' The tribute screamed.

Peeta was more than ready, but then he noticed movement behind the other boy and his eyes widened in surprise.

''I'm stupid? You're the one who's about to take a dinosaur to the back.'' He blonde pointed out.

His enemy blinked in confusion and turned to look behind him. Before he could react to defend himself, a familiar grey blur tackled him to the ground. The boy screamed in terror and Peeta winced, as a mouthful of razor sharp teeth tore his throat out with a spurt of crimson. The District Four tribute gurgled helplessly for a moment, twitching slightly on the ground, before finally going still. A cannon fired, signalling the kill and Peeta was left staring into a pair of familiar yellow eyes.

''Mr. Snuggles? Holy shit that was hard core!'' Peeta exclaimed.

It was definitely the same creature from yesterday, but despite the fact that it had just slaughtered a human being Peeta didn't feel threatened by it's presence. Now that it was done with 'what's his name', it was back to looking cute and friendly. Until it head-butted him again.

''Ow! Mother fucker, stop doing that! Can't you just lick me or something?'' He demanded.

The look on it's face made it all too clear what it thought of that option. But then again, Peeta was probably just anthropomorphising it. The damn lizard probably just wanted some more rabbits. On the other hand though, Peeta had seen how smart these things were. Did Mr. Snuggles kill the other tribute, because Peeta had helped it earlier when it was being bullied?

''I guess we're even now?'' Peeta murmured.

He reached out slowly and gently patted the dinosaur on the muzzle. To his surprise, it pushed it's head against his palm, nuzzling for attention. Peeta cooed at the cuteness and proceeded to give it a thorough petting.

''Aww who's a good boy? Who's a tribute chomping bad-ass? Yes you are, yes you are.'' He praised it.

The raptor made a trilling noise, and closed it's eyes in pleasure as Peeta rubbed it's neck. Mr. Snuggles quickly pulled away though, at the sound of an engine approaching. The boy quickly realised what was happening. The Capitol hovercraft was coming to collect the body of the dead tribute.

''Time to make tracks. Come on Mr. Snuggles, let's go find your scaly ass some rabbits.'' Peeta abruptly decided.

He beckoned to the animal to follow him, and to his delight it did so, nudging it's head against his hand for more scratching.

''Good boy Mr. Snuggles!'' He encouraged him.

Suddenly the grass behind them parted, and to Peeta's surprise Cato burst out of it. Both boy and raptor blinked at the newcomer in surprise. The taller boy was panting with exertion, obviously having run there. A light sheen of sweat graced his tanned skin, making Peeta momentarily distracted.

''Back off Cato, i've got a Mr Snuggles and i'm not afraid to use it!'' Peeta warned the hunk of hotness. The other blonde didn't seem to listen though.

''You're alive? So it was Xander that...is that another Velociraptor?'' Cato trailed off, eyeing Mr. Snuggles incredulously.

The raptor hissed at the Career, bearing it's fangs menacingly, causing Cato to raise his sword in response.

''Hey! Don't point that thing at Mr. Snuggles!'' Peeta snapped defensively.

Cato glared at him and was about to reply, when he obviously thought of something more important to mention.

''Why the hell isn't that thing killing you?'' He demanded incredulously.

Peeta rolled his eyes.

''Coz he's my new pet, isn't he cute?'' The blonde queried.

Cato gaped at him, watching as he began petting the scaled killing machine on the head.

''What the hell is wrong with you?'' The older boy snapped.

Apparently he thought he had a say in Peeta's choice of pets. Well the bastard was about to get a rude awakening.

''Takes one to know one!'' Peeta retorted.

Cato blinked in confusion.

''That...didn't make any sense.'' The Career pointed out.

''Neither does your outfit.'' Peeta shot back.

''I'm wearing the same thing you are!'' Cato argued.

The blonde glanced down at himself and saw that the other was correct. They were wearing the same thing.

''Yeah, but I make this shit look good.'' Peeta sneered, buffing his nails against his shirt and ignoring the Career tribute.

Cato scowled at the 'Boy on Fire' disregarding him...and for saying he didn't look good. The taller boy stomped forwards, ignoring the snarling Velociraptor, and glared down his nose at the shorter tribute. Peeta glanced up at him in amusement.

''Can I help you with something?'' He asked sweetly.

Cato opened his mouth to reply, but instead began sputtering as he inhaled something bitter. Peeta started coughing as well, his nose screwed up in distaste. Noticing some sort of vapour in the air between them, Cato blinked in bewilderment. Then he noticed where it was coming from. Peeta, or more specifically a broach on the younger boy's chest, was leaking the misty substance into the air.

''What the fuck is that?'' Cato demanded.

Did Peeta have a poison spitting flower as a token from his district? That had to be illegal, as well as stupid. If it was some sort of toxin, then Peeta was breathing it in too. The blonde appeared just as bewildered though, and was eyeing the accessory curiously.

''I have no idea, I got it from a sponsor.'' Peeta explained.

Peeta was vaguely aware that they should be killing each other. But he was far more interested in his hand, which was suddenly stroking Cato's chest. It was a really nice chest. The taller boy's muscles were rock hard and perfectly defined. And even through his shirt he felt so warm.

''Um Peeta? Are you OK.'' Cato asked him.

He wasn't concerned or anything, but the fact that the boy was absent mindedly feeling him up was a little weird. It felt nice though. Just like running his hands over Peeta's slim waistline felt nice. Suddenly he was grabbing the smaller boy's hips, in his broad calloused hands and tugging him closer. The look in the younger boy's blue eyes was inexplicably wild. His pupils were blown out and full of dark desire. And then out of nowhere Cato was kissing him. It was hot and frenzied. He was suddenly desperate to feel every inch of the blonde against him, under him. The building heat in his groin rose with the crescendo of passion, taking his breath away.

Peeta groaned. The part of him that knew this wasn't safe, was completely silenced. He was in the arena, this was his enemy. But he didn't care, he just needed. Cato's lips were soft and firm, undeniably masculine, yet somehow so lush that any question of hesitation just flew straight out the window. He tasted like sex and honey, and just as perfect as Peeta's dream had predicted he would. He detected the scent of blood, but instead of being repulsed like he should be, he was somehow excited by it.

The kiss shocked the two of them from head to toe, striking through them like lightning. Cato was completely lost to the sweet taste of Peeta's enthusiastic lips, his tentative tongue coaxing Cato's out to play. Peeta clutched Cato against him, as if he were drowning. They finally pulled apart when the need to breath became prevalent, but they quickly came together again after a quick gasp of oxygen.

They pulled away again and Cato buried his face in the other boy's neck, kissing and biting the soft skin there. Peeta moaned shamelessly, tipping his head back to give him better access. Another surge shot through him leaving him desperate for more. He needed more. Trying to resist was pointless, as that warm thrum of...something blazed it's way through him, totally obliterating his willpower.

Peeta began pawing desperately at the collar of Cato's shirt, groping at the muscle of his chest in a frenzied exploration. Cato was barely aware of the fact that he removed the constricting material a moment later, all he felt was the cool touch of the blonde's hands against his heated skin.

Peeta couldn't even pause to enjoy the sight of the perfectly sculpted body in front of him, because that would waste time. He planted hot kisses against the flesh before him, leaving a trail of fire in his wake as he worked his way down Cato's abdomen, licking and sucking at the skin of his abs. Cato's body practically screamed with anticipation, as the younger boy reached his pants and tugged desperately at his belt and zipper.

Suddenly he couldn't wait anymore. The fire was burning hotter and he needed to extinguish it. Looking down, he met Peeta's begging eyes and Cato couldn't take it.

Peeta barely registered Cato throwing him violently to the ground. He was in a haze, and the only thing he cared about was the other boy's warm weight crushing down upon him, forcing him against the earth.

No words were exchanged. There was only movement and heat and sweat, as clothes were tugged off and carelessly tossed aside. They didn't care, couldn't think, they just needed.

AN/ I really didn't like this, but I was so desperate to produce something after a week of absence. Everyone got the fact that the flower made them uncontrolably horny right? Peeta's not that easy, I swear! Review.