The Sword's Other Half

Que Training Montage

{AN: Hello, my Lovelies I am back!!! I am so so very sorry that I haven't updated in SO long. I missed writing but classes have been hectic. Thankfully, I'm on Thanksgiving break at the moment so I plan on going on a writing spree and hopefully finishing this story during my break so I don't miss another update. From here on out I will do my absolute best to remain to my update schedule (Updating every Saturday) and avoid disappearing on you guys again. Thank you so much for your patience and for sticking with me and this story despite my absence. Anyways, onto the story! Stay Lovely!}

I wake up the next morning to a voice in my head. Good morning, Baby. I can't wait to see your beautiful face in a little bit.

I sleepily smile and stretch before responding. This has to be the best wake up call ever. Are you staying with the Careers during training?

I am today just so I can find out their strengths and weaknesses then when we break for lunch I'll come and join you. Does that sound okay?

I lift myself out of bed and begin to get ready for the day as I continue to talk to Cato. That's fine, Babe. Whatever you feel you need to do I'm all for. Is there anything you need me to do today? I tie a hairband at the end of my fishtail braid and look at myself in the mirror. 'The training uniform is pretty comfortable.'

Don't show your strengths or weaknesses. I don't want the Careers to have any stats on you. Focus on survival skills until we enter the arena. Be sure to show off when you're evaluated by the Gamemasters though.

Sounds like a plan. Well, I'll see you in the training room and we'll talk at lunch. I have to head out to breakfast before Effie sends a search party.

Just as I say this a knock sounds on my door, "Princess, Effie asked me to come to get you for breakfast. Stop talking to Loverboy and let's go before she goes crazy."

You heard him. The search party is here. I'll see you later, Handsome.

*Chuckle* See you soon, Beautiful.

I exit my room to meet Haymitch. "Good morning, Haymitch!" I exclaim with a smile.

Haymitch gives me a small smile in return, "Morning, Sweetheart. It's time for breakfast and then you have training. Did you and Loverboy discuss a plan?"

Haymitch and I begin to walk towards the dining room as we talk. "His name is Cato. Anyways, he is going to stay with the Careers until lunch today to learn their strengths and weaknesses so we can use them to our advantage. He suggested that during training I focus on survival skills so they don't have any information on me. We are going to regroup at lunch and tell each other what we find out."

Haymitch nods in approval, "Smart kid. I was gonna suggest to both you and Peeta that you should hide the fact that you have strengths. Sweetheart, I also think that when it comes time to be in the arena that you and Peeta should go your separate ways. The only way that you are getting out of that arena is with Cato. I don't want you getting too attached and getting hurt."

I nod, "I understand. I planned on it just being Cato and me in the arena. Thank you for looking out for me, Haymitch. It means a lot."

Haymitch smiles at me and ruffles my hair affectionately, "Just doing my job, Sweetheart."

I chuckle as we enter the dining room to eat a quick breakfast with Effie and Peeta. After eating a light breakfast Peeta and I enter the elevator to head to the training arena. "Be careful around the Careers. They are going to be watching everyone closely to find any little weakness for them to exploit. Don't trust them and steer clear of them. I'm telling you this for your own good," I tell Peeta looking at him seriously.

Peeta looks at me unsurely before nodding as the elevator door opens to the training room. Peeta and I stand towards the back and listen to the instructions. "In two weeks, 23 of you will be dead. One of you will be alive."

Not us, Baby. We are making it out of this together. Once we announce that we are soulmates at the interview then the rule will be amended to allow both of us to be able to come out of this together if we are the last 2 standing.

Haymitch talked to me about that. I'm guessing he's had the chance to talk to your mentor after all.

Yeah, Brutus pulled me aside from Clove and Enobaria to talk to me about it.

Well, I'm glad that is sorted out. *Chuckle* Now leave me alone so I can pay attention.

Cato mentally chuckles at me and meets my eyes briefly before turning back to the instructor. "Who that is, depends on how well you pay attention over the next four days, particularly to what I'm about to say. First, no fighting with the other Tributes. You'll have plenty of time for that in the Arena. There are four compulsory exercises. The rest will be individual training. My advice is don't ignore the survival skills. Everyone wants to grab a sword, but most of you will die from natural causes. 10% from infection, 20% from dehydration. Exposure can kill as easily as a knife. "

Cato follows the Careers to the weapons section. I notice that a blonde girl in the Careers is eyeing Cato and seems to sticking to Cato like glue. I do my best to ignore the flirty looks she sends him as well as the fact she's taking every opportunity she can find to touch him in some way. I growl under my breath before focusing on deciding what station I need to go to. 'I kinda want to go to the dagger or bow station to let loose but I guess I'll settle on the plant station.'

I walk over to the plant station and see a girl with red hair fly through them effortlessly. "Wow, you're good at this," I compliment her.

She turns her head slightly and eyes me warily, "...thank you."

I smile at her, "I don't mean you any harm. Do you mind showing me how this machine works."

She looks at me unsurely but proceeds to instruct me. Suddenly, I hear a loud obnoxious laugh causing me to turn in that direction. Upon turning I find that blonde Career hugging Cato's arm as she leans against him and laughs loudly at something. Cato looks down at her with utter confusion and my hands clench as I glare at her. Cato looks up and meets my glare then looks at me with that same look of confusion.

What's wrong, Baby.

Hmm. I wonder. I say as I turn my glare to the blonde hanging off his arm.

Cato's mouth forms an O in realization as he finally pushes the blonde off him and I turn back to the screen of plants facing my back towards him. Baby, please don't be mad at me. I promise you that you have nothing to worry about with her you're all that I care about.

Mhm. I turn my attention back to the plants and ignore Cato and the Careers for the rest of the time of training. After training, we go to a cafeteria for lunch where I grab some food and make my way over to a table alone. I hear a shout of disbelief before a kiss is placed on my cheek, "Hey, Baby," I hear Cato say sweetly to me.

I can't keep the smile off of my face as I turn my head to him, "Hey, Babe." I chuckle softly as I see Blondie staring at us in disbelief. Cato takes a seat across from me and begins to eat. I smile at him and take a bite of my food before asking, "So, did you find anything out?"

Cato looks up at me and says, "Well, I already know that they only specialize in weapons. The blonde; Glimmer, is decent with a bow--keyword being decent. My district partner; Clove, is good with daggers. And then lastly, the other guy; Marvel, is good with a spear. Other than that they really aren't good at much else. Also, they plan on making the cornucopia into a base where they'll store all their food and supplies."

I nod, "So if we somehow take their stash from them they will be put at a severe disadvantage since they can't even hunt for themselves."

Cato points his fork at me, "Exactly." Cato and I continue to talk until after lunch then we head back to the training room where I show him the machine that trains you to find the different non-poisonous plants.