Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games

Chapter 13

Katniss:

District 3, like their tributes, could only be described as unremarkable and easily forgotten. Most of the citizens preferred to stay indoors and when they do come out... their heads were often bent with earphones plugged into their ears, their eyes covered with glasses, damaged from staring too long at screens.

Likewise, the houses and roads were dank and monotone; the only colors around were the cables and plugs crisscrossing the floor of the whole District. Blue, red, yellow, black, yellow again... it also didn't help that the air felt somewhat clogged and electrified while the people moved about like zombies as if their spirit left them a long time ago.

The only spark reflected was from the small monitors that they were constantly staring at.

This District was one of the first that rebelled against the Capitol in the past uprising and as such, were punished tenfold for it. The result was the destitute atmosphere clinging to its walls and people.

Both of them were ushered onto the makeshift stage; there was a big screen behind it showing videos of them during the 74th Hunger Games to honor their presence.

Katniss had to bite her lip to keep from vomiting as she saw splashes of blood.

It continuously replayed their skills in the arena. The screen was split in two, one side showcasing her archery skills, the other displaying in full pixel color, Cato's adeptness at decapitating Tributes. She knew that it was meant as an appreciation token for them and from Cato's almost proud expression; Katniss would guess that he took it as such but to her, it felt like a horror show on repeat.

In all honesty, Katniss thought that this was going to be the hardest District to go to for Cato (since he basically killed both their Tributes), that is, before she remembered that she didn't blow up the Career supplies in this timeline and therefore, Cato wasn't responsible for the death of the young District 3 boy tribute. She guessed that it was one of the many things that has been changed in this reality.

"We welcome the two Victors from District 2 and 12; Cato and Katniss for gracing us with their presence..." The Mayor announced loudly to the crowd. A crowd that mostly ignored them and were not hiding it. More than half were not looking at the stage.

There was a long awkward pause while the Mayor cleared his throat, "As you all could see on the screens behind us." Hmm, No one was actually looking "they have shown strength and vigilance in the face of overcoming the um trials of the Games" there was a distinctive change in his tone when he said 'trials.'

Katniss saw some of the Peacekeepers tightening their hold on their guns as if preparing for something. The Mayor sweated profusely at the obviously threatening gesture.

"Such honor to participate and, and um win against fierce opponents deserves commendation from the whole Panem... may the odds be always in their favor, especially now in their union" that last sentence was delivered somewhat reluctantly, which could have been construed as envy if dissected carefully in tone per intonation.

Katniss could care less. She wanted this whole charade to be over.

District 3's Mayor, like everyone else in the place, was gray-hued. Almost corpse-like, similar to his constituents. Add in their drab clothes and the whole District looked like the set of the living dead. For this reason, both their outfits stood out a lot. Katniss was currently wearing a Cinna-designed short dress. It was form fitting with the top cut indecently low but hidden by the folds of the scarf that Cato insisted she wore before stepping out. It was made of the softest material and draped quite alluringly over Katniss' form. Too tempting, in fact, that Cato almost decided to skip the whole speech and just stay within the confines of their 'love hub'; as Haymitch mockingly dubbed their compartment.

At the time, Cato simply shrugged and suggested quite unashamedly that the whole District 3 visit should be truncated especially with the weather growing dark. Ironically, it seemed as if Cato was right when raindrops suddenly pattered the ground even before beginning their speech. The two of them were mostly protected by a tarpaulin roof but the people were exposed to it. Katniss looked towards the Mayor, waiting for him to announce the end of the tour. Unfortunately, the Mayor was too afraid to garner more hostility from the trigger happy Peacekeepers.

District 3 citizens didn't move a muscle even as their hair and clothing were plastered onto their cadaverous forms.

It added to the 'deadened' factor.

Even Cato started fidgeting uneasily before he squared his shoulders and grandly took a step forward; also exposing himself in the rain and therefore, ruining his formal suit, also designed by Cinna. He started on the practiced speech before the precipitation of wetness made him stumble on his words. He paused in horror when he spluttered a wrong word and at the same time, sneezing; saying 'tank-u' instead of 'thank you.'

Cato stood in abeyance while the dead-like crowd looked up in surprise. He turned his head to her; conveying his mortification at the slip up.

He looked so disgusted with himself and his presently wet state that Katniss couldn't help the giggle that escaped. Soon after, the people in front started coughing aloud before also smiling. This was followed by the second row, the third and so on. The laughter was short but Cato's look of offense further prompted a second wind. The sound was hoarse coming from these gray colored people, implying the exiguity of amusement in the District.

It looked weird on their weathered faces and almost scary as their lips turned up in delight but laughter, genuine and rare, was still laughter. And it was beautiful.

For that alone, Katniss was grateful to Cato for providing this amusement even if it was at his own expense.

To assuage his obviously impending temper tantrum, Katniss moved swiftly beside him and pecked his cheeks that was wet with the rain, whispering to his ear the same words he uttered wrongly "Thank you..." From there, the rest of the speech went on smoothly. Katniss didn't recall what happened after the speech, only that both of them were ushered quickly back into the train on the way to District 1.

The train ride towards their next destination was made in quiet enjoyment as both of them took advantage of the downpour painting the circular windows of the compartment. They stayed within the confines of their small room with the too-big bed while all the other passengers likewise remained in their respective room compartments. Turning languidly to the side and feeling Cato turn in sync with her, encasing Katniss' waist with one strong arm, she stared unseeing at the scenery passing by the small window of greens, white, gray... until her eyes closed in sleep.

The next day. After District 1

"Katniss..." A deep voice whispered behind her, effectively waking her up. Cato nuzzled his nose behind her neck, burrowing himself in her tresses.

She would never say this to him but Katniss loved his rough voice during mornings. "Yes?" she didn't turn back to him but simply squeezed the arm wrapped tightly around her waist to indicate that she was listening.

"Our last stop would be back home..." Cato said, referring to District 2.

"Will we be seeing your grandmother then?" She asked curiously. Frankly speaking, Katniss adored Cato's only living relative. The old woman was upfront but sweet at the same time; like that candy that Prim obsessed over when she was seven years old. A tiny round hard candy that tasted sour upon biting but sweet once the coating was removed.

"If you like" Katniss felt Cato shift to prop his back onto the headboard. "I've already asked Haymitch and Brutus if we could stay a bit longer at my place. My grandmother wants me to take you on a tour around the District"

"Why?" Katniss asked suspiciously.

"She said that it'll help you understand Career boys more, heh"

She turned to face him at that,"I don't need to understand more. All of you are like carbon copy of each other... similar to those toy soldiers in stores and they take you out of your box when they think its time to send you to your death or kill someone; not necessarily in that order" Katniss had more to say but halted when she saw Cato's darkening expression.

"Okay, first of all, stop talking trash about them. That's no way to win over anyone. Besides, it's not like your District is that much different" He spat back.

"What?! Are you freaking serious?" She asked incredulously "There's absolutely nothing similar between my District and yours. In fact, I'd say that the two are analogous to water and fire"

Seriously? Are they gonna start the morning, bickering? By her count, this fight would be the 50th since they've been married. With 75 percent being about inter-District relations. Katniss wanted nothing to do with District 2. He might not know it but in her previous timeline, District 2 almost became synonymous with the Capitol in the new world.

"Just listen to me for a bit, dammit!" Katniss expression darkened before settling on a sullen look. Nonetheless, she sat up straight to listen better. "They're similar because my District also has a caste system; it's basically survival of the fittest. The stronger you are, the higher you're looked upon in society. In District 12, you guys are distinguished by wealth and, oddly enough, coloring. Blondes are towners while brunettes with gray eyes are seam people. There will always be some labels and segregation, Fire Girl and your District is more susceptible to it than others—like my District"

As much as Katniss hated admitting to being wrong; it was even harder to accept Cato being right. So she simply crossed her arms in front of her and glared, spitting out her question, "And what of District 2? Are you guys categorized by the number of kills you've made before reaching puberty?" She asked nastily.

"No, we're divided based on those who could shut up their wives under 5 minutes and those who can't" He responded sarcastically, "District 2 is not composed of warriors, exclusively. In fact, half of our population are merchants and carpenters. I mean, my family started off in the house-building industry..."

"And look at you now" She raised an eyebrow mockingly.

Cato sighed deeply conveying a deep frustration, "Yes, look at me now..." he relented "...anyway, most of those who become Peacekeepers are from the poor side. They need the money that's why they're so eager to join the training program. So, if you compare it to District 12, the Peacekeepers are actually like our version of Seam people."

"Are you kidding me?!" He had to be joking, there was no way that he was serious.

"No, in fact, studies showed that poor people are more likely to take on the more... how do you say it... um rough jobs—to take out their frustrations in real life" [A/N: This is fiction, of course, I don't know of any study like that]

"That has to be the stupidest assumption... ever! We're not violent!" She felt more than a little offended in part because her family's considered to be in the bottom of the poor population in District 12 previously. And Prim and her mother we're never violent!

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that. I mean, just take you and your District partner. You definitely outclassed him in terms of brutality..." He sniggered "I mean, he was painting himself for defense while you were setting up death traps for me and I'd bet you that that Gale friend of yours has been entertaining some really violent thoughts throughout my stay in your District. I'd go as far as to say that the guy has bigger plans... like rebellion-level plans"

Katniss clamped a hand on his mouth at that last word "Shut up!" she hissed, her eyes narrowing dangerously, "do you want to get arrested or worse, get Seam people arrested?! They have ears everywhere in this train. You, uttering the R-word can cause a lot of problems for innocents!" All the while, deliberately ignoring how close Cato was to the truth or a version of the truth from the previous timeline. That Gale did become part of the Rebellion and that Gale did move to District 2 in the end to pursue the life of a soldier.

Seeing her panic, Cato stopped, "No worries, I've already checked and removed any bugs in this room. Even those planted there by your mentor." At her surprised look, he added "I'm not too fond of people listening to our other more fun activities"

"Because you're loud?"

"What?! You mean, you're loud. I didn't know until our wedding night that your singing voice could also be so melodious in the throes of lovemak-"

She body slammed him at that.

A bit of wrestling and she had him subdued with her pinning him down onto the bed. Katniss grinned triumphantly down at him.

Cato raised an eyebrow. "Babe, if you wanted to be on top, you only have to say so... your wish within the four walls of this room is my command"

Katniss wrinkled her nose at the nickname. "Okay then, first of all; lose the nickname. It's bad"

"No, it isn't"

"Yes, it is"

"Fine..."

"Next, I want you to..." she leaned down sensuously, grinding her hips to his, and simultaneously whispering into his ear something dirty when they were rudely interrupted by banging from the door.

"What the f—" Cato was already scowling and vibrating in irritation as he propped himself up. Keeping one hand behind Katniss' back to keep her anchored to that position.

From the door, they heard their least favorite voice this entire trip, "Some decent people are trying to sleep here! Keep it down! Or better yet, stop! It's already morning for pete's sake" From their bed, they could hear Haymitch muttering darkly about hormonal teenagers being given too much freedom.

Katniss stared perplexedly at the closed door. "I'm seriously considering killing your mentor. Just a heads up" Cato muttered darkly "He's too freaking involved in everything we're doing. I'm half convinced that his ear's pressed up against our freaking door 24/7"

"Well, we are being too loud at this hour" She squinted at the clock and found that it was barely dawn. Katniss yawned.

"No, we're not." He puffed his cheeks like a five-year old and Katniss almost pinched it. "Our noise level is perfectly within acceptable decibels as written in the newlywed handbook"

"Is there really a handbook?" She asked disbelievingly. Already knowing that he was kidding.

"It's not translated to f.e.-male version but yeah, guys are aware of it or should be aware of it" He huffed and collapsed back onto the bed, pulling her down with him. "Fine, I'll settle for some cuddling but I-am-not-happy!" Cato shouted the last four words.

A resounding chorus was the reply from the two mentors; "Welcome to the club!"

End of Chapter 13