Just Tell Me You Love Me Already

Chapter 9: Promises and Favors

Clove's POV

3 has finished the reburying the land mines, so now all the supplies we don't have with us are protected. Though, as I said before, since I'm over cautious I am still carrying a blanket, some food, two canteens of water (gotta stay hydrated), a sleeping bag, matches, the leather string, and some other odds and ends in my backpack. I'm the only one to be carrying a backpack with me, so I look kind of stupid. But who cares? If somehow someone steals our supplies, I have extra provisions; everybody else (excluding Cato) can starve and freeze to death.

It is beginning to get dark. We light a fire and set shifts. 3 and I first, Cato and Sierra next (Glimmer pouted at this), Glimmer and Marvel, then it's morning. Peeta has no shift tonight. I sit down with my back to the Cornucopia. Holding a large knife in my hand, just in case. 3 is sitting on the other side of the tent. I hear a faint little noise coming from the tent about thirty minutes into my shift. I quietly creep over and look inside.

Peeta is quietly repeating the name over and over, "Katniss, Katniss, Katniss..." it's kind of haunting.

Before anyone else can notice that he's calling for her (he'd probably be dead right after and not in a quick manner) I wake him up. "Peeta," I hiss. He stirs, "Peeta, wake up!"

Peeta jerks awake, "Whaaa?"

I put my finger to my lips and point out. He looks confused and suspicious at the same time.

"For the love of Jupiter, I'm not going to kill you, I swear, though it won't be me killing you if you don't get out of bed, so come on."

Peeta hesitantly gets out of his sleeping bag, picking up the spear I gave him, and placing his machete in his belt.

I yank him out of the tent and call quietly, "3 I'm going for a walk around the perimeter!"

Then without waiting for a reply I pull Peeta into the forest. After we are far away from the Cornucopia I stop, Peeta has his hang gripped tightly around the spear. "What do you want with me, Clove?"

"You really love her don't you?"

Peeta splutters, "What?"

"Katniss, you really love Katniss."

"No, I don't I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Drop the act Peeta. I know you love her. I've seen the way you look at her and the way you talk about her, and to complete the picture you were whispering her name in your sleep, which is really kinda creepy."

Peeta stares at me for a long time, all we have is the moon light to see each other, and luckily the moon is bright. "So what now? Are you going to kill me for it?" he asks, sounding like he preparing himself for a fight.

"No," I say. "I'm not going to kill you, but I'll make a deal with you."

"What kind of deal?"

"I'll protect Katniss and you as much as I can."

"What?" he asks, confused.

I take a deep breath, "I'll protect you and Katniss for as long as I can, but if choosing between me and you guys, I'll choose me to live."

"Why?"

I ignore his question. "Just tell me one thing and I'll keep this deal with you."

"What?"

"Katniss got her eleven using a bow didn't she?"

"How did you know that?" Peeta asks, astonished.

"Well," I say, "It was a guess really. I've been watching you two, I know that you're amazing with camouflage and that you're fairly good with a knife. I know that Katniss can tie knots better than anyone I've ever seen and that with the weapons she's fair, but not extraordinary, there was one weapon that she didn't use, the bow so there was only one way really that she could have gotten an eleven."