Warriors ("Allies" Sequel)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The last propo was a success, according to Plutarch. He says that doing what my instincts tell me is better than any lines they can write for me. So, he and Coin decide to show the propo to everyone in Thirteen and have me present next to Coin.

The people of Thirteen react very positively to the propo and chant when it's over. Coin gives a speech and takes my hand to show that we 'are one', which isn't exactly true but I decide to just go with it.

I've made sure that I'm busy the last few days, weather it is at the weapon's room with Beetee, or hunting with Gale or even talking to Effie; anything to keep me a bit distant from Finnick. I know that not speaking to him as often as I do out of nowhere is going to confuse him but I have to focus every part of my brain in making better propos, war techniques, just every activity that helps me end this war soon. And when it ends, if it ends the right way, then maybe I can start thinking about him and I as an 'us'.

I can't really imagine that happening. I don't know what's harder to imagine: a free Panem, or me having a relationship with Finnick Odair. If anyone had told me two years ago that either of those things or even both were possible, I would've shot them with my bow for making such stupid jokes.

Today I wake up early because I know Gale and I will have a couple of hours of hunting and that actually makes me very happy. It's one of the most familiar feelings I can have here.

Gale and I spend the first hour hunting in silence, and before we know it, we fill our sacks with turkeys and ducks. We sit in front of the river and start taking the feathers off of the birds.

"I have to say, this is the most relaxing thing I've done in a while." I say.

"Stressed about being the Mockingjay?" Gale asks.

"Among other things. After what happened District 8, my priorities kind of changed." I say, putting a featherless duck into the sack.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I had other things in my mind and now all I think about is the war, the people, Snow and rescuing Peeta and the others."

"And does Finnick come after all of those things now?" He says with a smirk.

"How did you-"

"You're forgetting I can tell what you're thinking without you telling me."

"Yeah, I did for a second. So, are you gonna listen to my relationship problems now?"

"Sure, if you want. Didn't know it was a relationship already."

"It's not, that's the thing." I say.

"I'm very confused." He says, placing two turkeys inside the sack.

"Well, I mean, it could be, in the future but right now I feel like I have to focus on everything else before I can focus on Finnick. Going to District 8 opened my eyes and showed me that my priorities were wrong. I've been worrying about how Finnick feels about me, and trying to figure out if him saying he loved me was a mistake or not instead of thinking of ways of rescuing Peeta who they could be torturing as we speak-"

"Katniss, breathe." Gale interrupts. "I know you have a lot on your head right now but being the Mockingjay doesn't mean everything's on you. How to defeat Snow will take a bit of time so you don't have to think of techniques or anything like that, that's what soldiers are for. The Districts have to rise against the Capitol on their own, you can help them with the propos but the rest is on them. We're trying to figure out a way to rescue Peeta and the others, so don't worry about that either. You're not being selfish for thinking of yourself and your life once in a while."