The Hunger Games: Mashup

Chapter Three

District 2

Riding through the dirt roads of District 2 was always a dream for Kino. Her trusty motorcycle Hermes had been with her throughout her life. They had traveled through such a large expanse of the forests surrounding their home, it was hard to find a place in the woods they hadn't been through. The District 2 Peacekeepers made a special exception to let her through the gate. Even though District 2 was a favorite of the Capitol, the village still struggled for food. Since Kino was such a good hunter, they let her go through. She was also promised free bullets for her guns so she wouldn't have to spend what little money she had to begin with. She had a small but muscular physique. Her short, black hair didn't even touch her shoulders, and her innocent-looking yet wise eyes were very misleading. She had seen things most 15-year-olds would have killed themselves over seeing. Still, even though she had a small form, she wore a heavy hat with goggles, a thick coat when she went camping, and a strong, leather, hunting outfit underneath. She always kept her guns cocked and revealed so that she would be ready for battle at a moment's notice.

Stopping at the gate of her village, the Peacekeeper named Roy didn't even have to look at her to know that she was allowed VIP access in and out of the village. The electric gate was opened and Kino was admitted into the village.

"Miss Kino," came a voice. Kino turned to look, placing her hand on her gun, just in case. She met eyes with the butler of the mayor of the city-Sebastian Michaelis. Strong and lean, Sebastian preferred to dress in all black with the exception of his gloves which were bleach white. He matched her calm gaze with his own. He gave her a polite smile.

"Are you on your way home?" he asked her. She looked at him.

"Yeah. I need to stop by the butcher on the way there, but that's where I'm going," she told him gesturing to her kill hanging off of Hermes's cart. He smiled at her.

"If you wouldn't mind, I shall accompany you there and then escort you back to the estate. The young master would like to discuss something with you," said Sebastian smoothly. Kino gave him a small smile, matching his cordiality with her own. It wasn't that she hated him. She just didn't like how arrogant he was. He may have been strong, but when she and he went at a fight, they always drew at a stalemate. Aside from that, he was too perfect. It was dangerous to be connected to someone so suspicious, so Kino always did her best to avoid him. Now was one of the days she did just that.

"I'll be fine. I have something personal to do at home, so if you'll excuse me," she said, nodding at him and proceeding to pass him.

"We don't have anything important at home, Kino. Why aren't you going?" asked her motorcycle Hermes. Now, most people would be scared out of their wits to hear a motorcycle talking, but Kino had gotten used to it after all of these years.

"Be quiet, Hermes. He can still hear you," muttered Kino to him.

"Who cares? He probably saw through your act just like I did. Why aren't you going with him?" asked Hermes again.

"You know very well why I won't go, Hermes," she whispered back at him hurriedly. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she repressed an exasperated sigh, turning back to see Sebastian standing over her. She also hated how much taller he was than she, and she didn't like the fact he towered over her now.

"Miss Kino...forgive my forwardness, but...have I done something to offend you?" he asked Kino. She looked at him.

"Why would you think that?" she asked him curiously. He shrugged.

"You do not seem to like me very much," he told her. She shook off his grip.

"Whether I like you or not is my own business, and I would prefer if you would respect that," she told him coldly, starting off again. Sebastian gave a small sigh, and grabbed her arm gently to stop her from leaving.

"Very well. You are right. I apologize for my rudeness," he told her. Kino tried to get him to let go of her arm, but he did not relinquish his grip.

"But since you are not attending Lord Phantomhive's dinner party as my guest, then you deserve to know what the topic of discussion is," he told her. She stopped trying to escape him, and Sebastian let go of his hold on her. She looked at him in mild surprise. He had peaked her interest.

"What is it?" she asked him. He looked at her seriously, wasting not a moment of time.

"The Hunger Games have begun again," he informed her. She paled slightly, a bead of sweat breaking out across her forehead.

"You're sure?" Hermes asked him when she remained silent in shock. He nodded in clarification.

"I was actually planning on volunteering myself if the young lord was chosen as one of the tributes. He is, after all, still only thirteen, and as an eighteen-year-old butler to him, it is my duty to protect him with my life," he told Kino. Kino narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, snapping out of her surprised state.

"Why tell me?" she asked him. He gave her a sly smile.

"I just thought you might want to know if your sparring partner was leaving to go fight to the death," he told her.

"You know you can't die unless people burn you down to a crisp, Mr. Demon," she told him coldly. Yes, Sebastian was a demon. He was unkillable by regular standards. He could not be killed by a sword or by a knife or by a gun. That was one of the reasons why he was such an invaluable fighting partner-Kino could shoot him without worrying about killing him. She was the only person who knew how to kill him-to kill a demon, they must be dismembered, starting with the head, and all of the parts must be burnt down to ash. Then, they must be separated at once so that he can't be reborn from the remains.

"Yes, but there isn't a high possibility that I shall return either. It's not hard to find out how to kill a demon, and it's not hard to recognize one either," he told her. Just as if to prove it, his eyes flashed a bright red, the same shade as blood.

"It's only because you're too careless, Sebastian," she chastised him. But he was right. And the idea of him dying-anyone dying really-was too horrible to bear.

"Also, if I die...I would like you to care for my master...if it's not too much trouble," said Sebastian. Kino's mouth almost fell open, but she controlled herself. Still, that didn't stop her from staring at him in shock.

"I know it's a lot to ask of you," he admitted to her. "But you are the first human fighter I have met to hold their own against a demon. There may be others like that in the games, so I would like to be assured that Ciel Phantomhive will remain protected even after my defeat." Kino couldn't speak. She knew he was being serious, but to see Sebastian actually be realistic about dying was a surprise indeed. She knew that he would risk his life for Ciel Phantomhive in a second, but she also knew that if he didn't, he wouldn't come back. Even being a demon doesn't guarantee that he will win the Games-which is the only way to return.

"If that is the case," began Kino. She bowed to him, and Sebastian was immediately taken aback. "I wish you the best of luck, Sebastian."

And she meant it.