Suyodhana gave his friend a sideways glance. Vasusena's face was grim and no wonder. Bheema really seemed to have a bone to pick with Vasusena. In all honesty, Suyodhana could not pretend ignorance of the reasons for Bheema's ire. And in all honesty, he could not blame Bheema either. But he did not want Vasusena to be caught in the middle.

"Are you all right?" he asked now.

Vasusena gave him a look that plainly said he was asking a foolish question. But what he said was, "I think it is high time you and Bheema worked out whatever is between you two."

Suyodhana nodded. "I was thinking the same."

Vasusena chuckled. "I'm disappointed. I was expecting you to deny it, as you usually do."

"That was when we were in Hastinapura and my cousins were here, in Indraprastha."

"So?"

Suyodhana shrugged. "You are getting caught in the middle of our unresolved issues. Bheema has a lot of bones to pick with me. The poisoning, the lac house," he shook his head. "And he's had to keep it all in. He can't even be rude to me because of that moralizing older brother of his. You are his whipping boy. I don't like that."

"Seems to me you are mistaking the nature of the bones he has to pick."

"All right. Yes, that too. But, that was so long ago and it was only the one time."

"I did not need to know that."

"Yes, well, drawbacks of being my friend."

"I'll take it, then,"

Suyodhana grinned. Most of the time, he felt as if he was taking Vasusena for granted, but his friend did not seem bothered. He was most fortunate to have Vasusena for a friend. If only all his relationships were as uncomplicated.

"What does my father want?" he asked.

Vasusena shrugged. "He heard Arjuna's son went missing and that Vikarna had rescued him from the perils of the jungle. I guess he wants to know the details."

Suyodhana grimaced. "More like he wants to accuse me of spiriting the boy away and returning him when the hue and cry started."

"That's not fair," said Vasusena. "He loves you. He's always taken your side."

"Only when no one else is listening! He pretends when others are around."

"He's just being diplomatic. He's a King."

"You, my friend, are the best."

Vasusena smiled with a small shake of his head, but remained silent. They had reached the door to Dhritarashtra's mansion.

"If he says something you don't like, don't take it to heart," was Vasusena's advice as they hugged and parted.