The Hunger Games: Mashup

Chapter Twenty

"Do I have to dress up for this?" asked Zatch in complaint, his eyes unhappy with his outfit. Kirie had forced him into something other than his usual getup. Zatch was wearing a tiny blue sweater vest over a thin white dress shirt, short sleeved. He donned black pants and dress shoes, and Kirie had attempted to pat down his unruly hair with some warm water. It just stuck right back up as soon as it dried. He looked at himself in the mirror, frowning.

"I look like an idiot!" he complained. Kirie kissed his forehead gently. She wore a green dress with a short, pleated skirt. It had a square neckline, and she wore it over a simple polo shirt. Her shoes were small, light brown boots that extended just past her ankles. As she leaned down, Zatch tied a green ribbon in her hair.

"You look pretty," he told her. She gave him a small smile.

"You look fine too, Zatch. I'd rather have you look like an idiot than be put into the Games," she said to him. He nodded at her. He picked up his tiny kitten Kuro and put him in his vest front. The cat was so small that he fit in Zatch's shirt without looking suspicious. The kitten curled up on the elastic support of the shirt and lay there, purring softly. Kirie gave Zatch a stern look, and Zatch gave her an innocent smile.

"Absolutely not. We're not bringing Kuro to the Reaping," she told him. He frowned sadly.

"Why not? It's not like anyone will notice him!" he complained to her. Kirie reached in his shirt and pulled out Kuro, placing the sleeping kitten on Zatch's bed.

"We'll play with him when we get back, okay?" asked Kirie. Zatch pouted for a moment, and then rushed forward and hugged Kirie around the middle. She looked down at him in shock, and he gave her a sad smile.

"Love you, big sister Kirie!" he told her softly. She kneeled down to his level, looking at him with concern.

"What's this about, Zatch? You won't be picked for the Games," she told him. He shook his head at her with a pained expression.

"Are you worried that I'll be picked for the Games?" she asked him. He slowly nodded after a moment of hesitation. She hugged him, holding him to her closely.

"Silly, boy. I won't leave you behind," she told him. He smiled into her shoulder, savoring her nurturing warmth. He had never known the love of his mother. There was a big blank as to where he had come from. Zatch knew that definitely had a mother...he just didn't remember her, or his father. Kirie was the only one who he had ever known to actually care about him. The men at the labs made him use his mysterious power to run all of Panem, but that was just for their own gain. No one cared about him...and even less now that he didn't have purpose in his district.

"Zatch," Kirie began, pulling away from him. She kissed his forehead gently. "I'll always be here for you. I won't leave, I promise," she told him.

"Then you'll stay here forever?" he asked her hopefully. She nodded, ruffling his hair affectionately. She stood up and gripped his hand tightly.

"Let's go...we don't want to be late for the Reaping."

 * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Squeals escaped from the crowd's lips as the girl came onstage. She gave a modest smile and waved to the people, also including the camera's in her greetings. The Peacekeepers did nothing to restrain the crowd's rising din. In fact, several Peacekeepers had joined in cheering for the pop idol.

"Hello there, I am Full Moon," said the girl with the golden locks. She shook back her hair, and her snow white dress glimmered in the sunlight. The crowd was going wild. She gave a happy smile. "It's so nice to be here in District 5. I must thank you all for your hard work!"