Summary:

Peeta is a keeping a secret from everyone. He's an assassin who's been trained his whole life to kill. When he's chosen for the Hunger Games, the Boy with the Bread is going to show his true self. Something others never expected.

Peeta/Katniss story. Author's Notes will usually be in the bottom of the story with the disclaimer.

Peeta

Primrose Everdeen. That's the name. She was chosen for the Hunger Games, a game to show that the Capitol is in control of Panem. I looked towards the big screen and saw that she was only around 12 years old.

"Prim!" someone cries. "Prim!" It was a girl, Katniss. She was now being held by the Peacekeepers.

"I volunteer!" she lets out. "I volunteer as tribute!" You see there's a story behind the Hunger Games. Long story-short it's a way to keep another rebellion from arising from the Dark days when all the Districts rebelled against the Capitol. District Thirteen was blown off the map. Now each year, each District gives one boy and girl, ages 12 to 18, to participate in the Hunger Games. They all fight to their death in an outdoor arena. It can be anything, desert, rain forest, mountains, anything. Last standing tribute wins.

I couldn't hear what there were saying up there. I wish I could. I saw a man, a little bit older than me, carrying the original tribute to her family. I lost myself in a train of thought, but then I hear a name, "Katniss Everdeen." Her voice sounded like she was trying hard to not break. It wasn't noticeable, though.

"I bet my buttons that was your sister. Don't want her to steal all the glory, do we? Come on, everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newst tribute!" I swear, Effie is just so annoying.

I do something that I bet no one would expect me to do. It was a gesture no one really uses anymore around District 12. It means thanks, it means admiration, it means saying good-bye to someone you love. I touched my three middle fingers on my left hand to my lips and hold it out to her. I keep my focus on Katniss.

At some point, a man, Haymitch, District Twelve's only victor that's still alive today, put's an arm around her and talks to the people in the camera. I can tell he's drunk.

"What an exciting day!" Effie continues, trying to fix her wig which was off to the right. "But more excitement to come! It's time to choose our boy tribute!" Her hand reaches in the glass ball that contained the boy's names. As she calls the name, my breathing stops. "Peeta Mellark."

My mother taps my shoulder, "Finally, we have a chance of winning. She's a survivor, that one."

I give my family a sad glance and walk on the stage steadily. Effie Trinket asks for volunteers but no one takes it.

Now the Mayor reads the Treaty of Treason which I bet no one listens to. Katniss and I share a glance. She and I share a memory that no one can know about...

I heard my mother yelling at some Seam kids. I don't understand this woman. They're people, too. Kids from all ages run away from our trashcan. I went behind my mother to see what else was going on and I see Katniss Everdeen. The girl whose mother my father really loved.

Katniss ran behinfd the pig pen. Her eyes were hollow and her bones were visible. It seemed like she hadn't eaten in days, she looked as if she couldn't go on any longer.

I heard her father died a few months ago from a mining accident. I could see why she as like that. Usually, fathers from the Seam, or the eldest son or daughter, provided the family with food, money, and clothing. The mother would do that also, but I hear that her mother ignored her a bit, shut down.

I tried to think of a plan to save her somehow. I felt like I needed to protect her. Maybe it was from my training for my future. I was born to keep people safe. Gladly, only my father and I know about it.

I took the two biggest loaves of bread from the counter and threw it into the fire. I pulled them out and made it visible to my mother. She started yelling at me and smacked me across the face. "Feed it to the pig, you stupid creature! Why not? No one decent will but burned bread!"

I walked to the pig pen and took off the smallest pieces of the bread, but only the burned parts. I saw Katniss eying the bread. I only tore off not even a coin sized amount off one loaf of bread. I tossed her the loaves and ran out. I saw her put the loaves under her shirt and run.

I walked into the Justice Building for good-byes and visits. First to come in was my father. He gives me a manly hug and lets go long enough for it to be meaningful. "Son, be careful out there."

"Dad, I've been trained to fight, kill, and survive since I was born." I let out a slight chuckle, "I think I can handle this."

He gives a small grin, "I just need you to do one thing for me. You don't have to if you don't want to." I look up slightly. "I want you to protect Katniss Everdeen."

"But, dad," I plead, "What if I don't make it back?"

"I' having you do this for a reason," he answers. "I don't know when you'll figure out what I'm trying to do. Hopefully before the Games start, but you will." With that, he stood up and left.

Next were my brothers, Panett and Payn. Yes, all of our names start with P's, but if you know your breads, there would be a reason why those are our names.

Panett was the eldest of all of us and I am the youngest, leaving Payn to be in between the both of us.

Panett smiles, "Well, well, the mini me is chosen for the Hunger Games. Never thought that this day would come."

He puts it off as if it's a joke, I love that about him. But Payn, he just gives me a sad smile, "Be careful out there."

"I will." We share a moment of silence until their time is up.

Surprisingly, the next ones were Gale, Mrs. Everdeen, and Prim. Prim looked like she's been crying. Mrs. Everdeen looked the same, except not as bad. Gale just looked really serious. He was the first to speak, "Listen, baker, we need you to do something for us."

"I already know what you're going to ask," I admit. "You're going to ask me to protect Katniss. I already was going to."

Prim ran up and hugged me. I put my arms around her for comfort. She cried into my shirt. "Thank you. Thank you! Thank you!" She was crying again. "Please, please, please try to keep her safe!"

"I will, I promise." I'm not going to break that. Mrs. Everdeen joins us also.

"Wait," Gale interrupts. "Why were going to protect her?"

"Because, I feel like I need to," I say, trying to sound as convincing as possible so he would believe me. I'm not lying either. I've been around Gale before, and he's not easy to convince.

"Or do you think she's weak? Because she's-" before he can even finish the sentence, the Peacekeepers drag them away.

"A survivor," I finish silently to myself.

How was it? Sorry, if it kind of sucked, I did this all in one day. I was rushing and I wanted it to go up today. Positive reviews please :) If it's suggestions, please don't state it harshly.

I know the end was suckish. I didn't know how to finish it.

Expect changes in the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.