Not in Blood, but in Bond

Fall of the Warrior

"Mitra Bhavesh!"

"Shrutkarm! Sakha Pradyumna!"

Vrishasen and Abhimanyu exclaimed at the same time, matching grins breaking over their faces.

The three boys let a small smile grace their faces and walked towards them. Shrutkarm threw his arms around Abhimanyu, relief washing over him.

"Bhrata! I am so glad that you are safe!"

Abhimanyu caressed his brown locks affectionately. "My heart is also calmer now as I see you standing in front of me unscatched." He whispered in his ear. His brother grinned back and Pradyumna placed a soothing hand on his shoulder.

Bhavesh stopped in front of Vrishasen who smiled at him, which he returned quite feebly.

"So." Vrishasen started, grinning from ear to ear. "You found us."

"Of course I did." Bhavesh's tone was filled with grimace. Vrishasen frowned, but before he could inquire further, his Mitra asked, "Will you come back with us? Everyone is worried."

"I think so...wait, let me ask- you know, him." Vrushali Nandan replied, looking unsure while pointing towards Abhimanyu. The Brahmin nodded in understanding.

"Oi! Abhimanyu!" Vrishasen yelled at the boy who was reminiscing with his close ones, but was interrupted by the younger Arjun Putra.

"Abhimanyu? Just Abhimanyu? I get that we are not at War at this moment, but who are you to address Bhrata so frankly?" Shrutkarm hissed, dislike evident in his voice and Vrishasen's eyes were a storm of amusement, anger and immense hurt, which did not go unnoticed by Abhimanyu, who laced a firm hand on Shrutkarm's shoulder, silently telling him to stop.

But the damage was already done. Vrishasen's tone, which had been warm and friendly towards him turned professional and borderline icy towards his cousin that went straight to Abhiamnyu's heart. "Pardon my unprofessionalism, Princes. I wish to ask if you are willing to return back to Kurukshetra?"

The other two looked at Abhimanyu as he replied, "I...suppose so."

"Very well." Bhavesh said, giving them a smile that did not reach his eyes. "Let us make our way back. The sooner the better."

"Wait." The gentle, caring voice of Rukmini's son stopped them in their tracks, looking over them with kind eyes. "Why hurry? You two must be tired, why don't you first have some food? We brought with ourselves enough refreshment."

Bhavesh and Vrishasen shared a look before nodding and Pradyumna went away, only to return with a basket of delicacies.

They sat in the cave, Pradyumna serving the food. The silence was weird, unbearable.

Abhimanyu spoke up. "How did you find us?"

"Kumar Bhavesh led us." Krishna Putra replied and the attention was now directed towards the Brahmin.

"I knew of this place....we- Lakshmana, Vrishasen and I- were once wandering in this forest and Mahadev knows how Vrishasen got himself severely wounded and we panicked, but then Lakshmana went to look for help and found this Magical Cave....we brought him here and he was well in no time....so...well...I knew Kumar Abimanyu was hurt badly and if Vrisha wanted to keep discretion, he would bring him here." Bhavesh told them, looking around uneasily.

Vrishasen frowned. What was up with Bhavesh? He seemed way different than his usual self. "Mitra...are you okay? Is everything alright back at the camp?"

Bhavesh gazed at him helplessly before sighing deeply and closing his eyes. "Grandfather is....no more."

The Kaunteys' sons gasped. No. It was not possible to kill him- who? How? Guru Drona was one of those who was considered invincible.

"Bhavesh...when? Oh Dear Lord, are you well?" Vrishasen pulled him in a hug, trying to offer comfort that his friend gladly took. "I'm so sorry."

"Don't be. Grandfather died on the battlefield like a true warrior. What saddens me is not his death but the means applied to achieve it." He said, sniffing softly.

Vrishasen was scared to hear the answer, but he asked nonetheless. "What....happened?"

"You want to know that?" Bhavesh challenged, electing a maniacal laughter laced with raw pain. "Well, Rajkumar Dhristdyumna severed his head off when he sat grieving for his son who was

announced to be dead by the man who is considered to be truthful in every situation."

"Tatshree Yudhisthir?" Abhimanyu asked in disbelief, looking at Pradyumna for telling him that it was not true, but he just bowed his head and Abhimanyu's heart sank. It's true.

"Leave all that." Bhavesh said after a while, shaking away his head, trying to get the image of his Grandfather's beheaded body and burning pyre out of his mind. "We must head back."

But Vrishasen was scared now. "Bhavesh....anyone else?"

"No. Not from our side." He added after a while. "Mamashree Duryodhan prohibited us, the next generation, from participating in War since the day you left. For our safety."

He let out a sigh of relief but Abhimanyu did not. Shrutkarm, noticing this, eased him, "No one from our side either, Bhrata."

Everyone looked at each other, no idea what to say. Few days ago they were fighting and now they are having lunch together. Fate made people do the strangest of things.

But what exactly should they do, be hostile to each other? What was the point of it? And what had the other party done to deserve the rudeness? Participate in War to support the ones they cherished?

Why must they fight each other when the enmity lied between their fathers? Why must they pay the price of Adharms of a man who is now dead? What was their fault?

Look at Bhishma Pitamah, who got nothing but humiliation from Duryodhan and arrows from Arjun. Look at Guru Drona, who was killed in a moment of weakness. They did not deserve it.

Then why did they get those deaths?

Why, just why?

The question remained in their hearts, to be answered in the coming ages, seen through the prism of Perception and Dharm, satisfying none but the one who answers.

________________________________________________________________________________

A/N: Sorry, this one is short, I was trying to get back in writing through this one. So, how is it?

Also, I remembered this scene suddenly-

Karn and Arjun: *Looking around the Sabha* *Catch each other's eyes* *Have no idea what to do*

Arjun, internally: Shit, shit, shit, why is he looking at me, what should I do? *joins hands in his direction*

Karn, internally: What the- is it directed towards me? *disbelief evident in eyes*

Arjun: *manages to look awkward, sad, confused and 'can't I respect you' at the same time*

Karn: *acknowledges him his faintest of nods*

Arjun: *smiles softly like it has made his day*

Okay, so I know I am probably exaggerating their emotions, but this scene is just sooo soft!! I love them here! Does anyone know from what episode this is from?