In The Hunger Games, what makes Katniss and Rue trust each other enough to become partners?

It is in Chapter Fifteen that the alliance between Katniss
and Rue is made. Let us remember, though, that it is also based on the fact that Rue has
already helped Katniss before by pointing out the tracker jacker nest that Katniss is
able to use with such devastating effect against the careers. Katniss clearly feels that
she is able to trust Rue, as she says when Rue asks her if she wants her for an
ally:

Why not?
You saved me with those tracker jackers. You're smart enough to still be alive. And I
can't seem to shake you
anyway.

Above all, Katniss is
drawn to form an alliance with Rue because she is a "survivor" and above all because she
reminds Katniss of Prim, her younger sister. Rue by nature is young and also looking for
somebody to look after her in this grim and brutal environment, and Katniss serves this
purpose for her. The two are drawn together by mutual sympathy and
openness.