A/n: I want to think everyone who's read the story up to this point. Things should get m rated either here or the next chapter. Oh and please review, this is my first hunger games and I'd like to know how I'm doing. Oh and yeah there's gonna be the whole Katniss/Peeta thing but Peeta had an even bigger hold than he did in the movie and Katniss secretly wishes it wasn't him.

Disclaimer: I no own anything

Chapter 3: (Katniss pov)

Wow I severely underestimated Haymitch when he's angry. I thought he would just go off some random rant for about 15 minutes then pass out drunk. Nope he's absolutely livid that Crane would 'use me to his advantage' if anything it would be using Crane to my advantage. Just now thinking about how Capitol wives are treated I see his point. Wives here are treated less than animals, something just for others to be envious about and something to provide children. So not only will I be putting Crane on an even bigger pedestal than he already is but I'll pretty much be giving my body, mind and everything else to him. I excused myself and went outside hoping to get sight of said head game maker. I found him in the training center in his usual spot. Instead of saying anything I just picked up the bow and shot, missing hugely.

"You're angry about something 12, what is it?" Instead of answering him I raised the bow again, and again I missed. I screamed in frustration and sat on the floor. Tears of anger and every other emotion spilling out. What would my mother and Prim think? Peeta and...Oh God what would Gale say!? What would the rest of district 12 say? Not that I would be spending much time there anyways. I faintly hear footsteps coming towards me and I know I should turn away. Not let Crane see me like this, fragile and easy to break when I'm not. "Katniss, please tell me." I raised my head and I noticed he had genuine concern on his face.

"Why exactly did you choose me? Honestly, not what you think I want to hear." He sat back on his heels and stared at me. He knew now, knew I was weary of him. That I didn't completely trust him and he knew why too. Because right now every thought and emotion were clearly written on my face. He looked away for a minute out the window before turning back to me.

"Because you deserve to live, everyone deserves to live but I can only save one of you." The hard reality of this fact hit me when he said it. He didn't enjoy watching us die; he was just doing what he had to, to keep himself alive. Eventually I would have to have some part in planning kid's death, one day my children would watch this. And depending on where Crane decided to take me my children might one day be killed by his hand.

"Crane…I know about Capitol wives. Things aren't as hush, hush as you're led to believe." His face filled with sadness and I knew I was right. On the bright side I could tell he didn't want me to be treated like that. Who would've thought the Head game maker actually had a heart? One he had surrendered to me, Katniss Everdeen. While I may not know his full intentions I knew he would do everything within his power to keep me alive. I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his cheek. I pulled back and he looked me dead in the eyes.

"12, I promise to never treat you like that. There may be moments where I need to act harsh in front of Snow or someone. But I promise I will never lay a hand on you unless you want me to." It reassured me, even if everything he was saying was a complete and utter lie, it still did. He stood and helped me up, walking back to the balcony. "Let's see some arrows fly again 12." I nodded and picked the bow and arrows back up hitting the target every time.

"Katniss, Haymitch…oh pardon me Head game maker Crane." Peeta put an arm around my shoulders and gave Crane a death glare. Crane stiffened a little and I knew it took all his will not to strike Peeta dead right then and there. I maneuvered out of his hold and he gave me a look after all we were 'star crossed lovers.' I simply shrugged and out of the corner of my eye I saw Crane relax considerably.

"What is it Peeta?" I noticed my voice had an icy edge to it and I hadn't meant for my words to come out that way. Peeta flinched away and I quickly laid a hand on his arm letting him know I was sorry. So as of right now everyone but Peeta knew of my Promise to Crane and I couldn't afford to let him know now. Lord only knows he would probably try and kill Crane right here and now.

"Haymitch needs to speak with both of us." I froze and snuck a glance up at the balcony. Crane was sitting a little more forward in his seat. Knowing Haymitch would probably tell Peeta and didn't want me anywhere near him when he blew up. "Katniss, now." I flinched a little at his tone and I heard a glass slam on the table and footsteps coming down the stairs. Crane grabbed my arm and pulled me behind him and out of Peeta's vice like grip.

"I need to speak with her, and then I'll escort her back 12." Peeta was about to say something but he knew better. Nodding he left head down and I could tell he was upset I hadn't argued that I needed to go back with him. Truth be told though Peeta's presence made me uncomfortable. I knew he wasn't lying when he had said he loved me in front of the whole Capitol. Ever since then things had been awkward and tense, like he expected me to return the feelings.

Crane stood in front of me, his eyes hard and I knew he was angry. Not with me but Peeta and his actions. He looked at my face a minute and ran his thumb across my cheek. Before pulling me slightly closer and kissing me. Not knowing why I did so but sill I did my arms snaked around his neck pulling him closer. His hands went from my face to my waist and I shivered lightly as he lightly traced small circles on both sides. He pulled away and for a minute I was confused but confusion swiftly turned to recognition. His lips had landed on my neck, my head rolled back to the wall and I bit my lip to stiffen a moan. He pulled back and smirked a little at my neck. I knew why without even having to ask, he had marked me. Now I could wear his symbol freely. His face dangerously close to mine again he just muttered one word. "Mine."

I nodded and pulled him in for another kiss which he quickly took control of. My fingers tangling in his hair and he pushed his hips against mine. My shirt was quickly shed and so was his. Hands and mouths both explored for a few minutes before I realized I had probably get back to Haymitch and Peeta. I pulled away reluctantly and looked at crane's eyes which were a deep sapphire blue. I shivered a little at his intense gaze and a low moan escaped his mouth.

"I'm tempted to just keep you out of the games. I would if I could." His face buried in the crack between my neck and shoulder, his tongue lazily draws circles on my skin. Making it hard for me to put a coherent thought together much less get it out of my mouth.

"Crane." I moaned a little and squirmed trying to get away. The junction between my legs rubbed up against his leg and I gasped. He chuckled a little and pulled away from my neck and stared at me with seriousness.

"Seneca Love, my name is Seneca." He claimed my lips again and I tried desperately to fight against the feeling burning deep inside me. His hand slid lower and lower and a strangled cry escaped my lips. This was so not fair, not when I would be leaving in just a few days. I pulled away and reached for my shirt and handed him his. Just as I was about to leave his arms encircled my waist. "I think I should accompany you for dinner, what do you think Love?" he asked placing a sweet kiss on my shoulder. I turned towards him and smiled.

"I think that'd be a good idea Seneca." He took my hand in his and kissed it before leading me out of the training center and to where the tributes where staying. Once we got inside he dropped my hand and I shot a hurt glance. He bent down and whispered in my ear.

"I don't want to be murdered right away Love." Ohhh he had a good point. I nodded and led him to where Haymitch, Effie and Peeta were already sitting down. I noticed Haymitch seemed a little calmer than he was earlier and offered a small smile. Effie was full out beaming but Peeta had a full on look of hatred on his face. He stood from the table and jerked me away from Seneca causing me to lose my balance. I bumped my head on the table and Haymitch ran over. Peeta didn't pay any attention though; he was too focused on killing Seneca with his eyes.

"What the Hell is he doing here Katniss!?" Angry I stood and stomped over to him pushing him back from my Promised. Peeta stared at me but just rolled his eyes and socked my arm good naturedly; he thought this was all just some silly game I had set up. "You gonna tell me Katniss?" He made it sound like a question but his eyes said it all, he wanted answers and he wanted them now. Seneca walked over about to say something, or possibly hit him until death but I pulled him back.

"I invited him; I didn't know I needed your permission Peeta." My voice a deadly ice and I could tell Seneca had a smile on his face. Haymitch had a smile tugging at his lips and Effie had sense to be worried for Peeta's safety. Before I could do anything though Seneca grabbed my elbow and led me to the seat next to Haymitch.

"He won't be much help to you dead in the arena Love." I nodded and started getting food, passing bowls, dishes and plates to Seneca who passed them to Peeta. Seneca faked innocence and was the first to say something to Haymitch. "What exactly is going on Haymitch?" I knew Haymitch, I knew he wouldn't do anything to Seneca, after seeing that he actually cared and wasn't just using me.

"I believe Katniss has something to say." Not trusting my voice I slipped the chain out of my shirt. The chain that had the symbol identical to Seneca's. He stood as well and sent a daring look at everyone but especially Peeta. First recognition swept across Peeta's face, then anger, than hatred. He stood from his chair and walked over and grabbed my arm roughly.

"Him? The man who's going to try and kill you! What the Hell Katniss?!" He was shaking me a little too hard now and Seneca and Haymitch seemed to notice this at the same time. Seneca pulled Peeta off me and Haymitch pulled Seneca off Peeta. Everyone was giving Peeta a death glare except me who was trying not to let the tears fall. Haymitch took Peeta to his room and Effie told Seneca to take me to mine.

I fell into him once the door was shut and started crying. He just stood there holding me. "Why did he do that? Why did I let him do that?" Seneca's hold on me tightened and he pressed a kiss to my head. He helped me undress, kissing skin as it was revealed, not like earlier though. These we less fueled and more a slow burning fire. Once dressed in my nightgown he braided my hair for me and pulled the blankets up over me lying beside me. He just held me while I cried and murmured sweet nothings in my ear to calm me down. Peeta couldn't do this for me and neither could Gale. As I drifted off to sleep I thought more and more about the side of Seneca Crane that no one ever got to see, because if they did he would be dead.