The Ram, confused. Sita laughed. Indeed, the two brothers were indeed inseparable. Ram couldn't live for a moment, could not rest for a second if he could not see his brother. "Where is he, Sita? Do you know?" Sita shook her head, pulling Ram out of their room and into the courtyard, where the entire family except the third prince and Rani Kaushalya was gathered.

"He's not here. He has gone into the village as an escort to Maa Kaushalya, who wants to buy something. We were going to send some guards, but he volunteered for the job, and I suppose he's like what a guard would be if he were a prince." Urmila shrugged. "He did leave this behind, though!" she held up a large dagger, and held it up into the air, reflecting the sun.

Shatrughan, understanding Urmila's thoughts correctly, shook his head. "Are you planning on stealing it?" he asked mischievously. When Urmila rolled her eyes, he grinned widely. "Let me help you. Come on, let's take it to your room." Urmila thought it over for a fleeting second, her eyebrows scrunched up.

On one hand, he was her husband, and it was completely wrong to steal! He had left the dagger, trusting that no one would take it or vandalize it, and she did not want to be the unfortunate one to betray that trust he had so lovingly placed in them. It was completely wrong to steal, she reminded herself again. To steal would mean that she was similar to Shatrughan, the kid thief, or another petty criminal in the kingdom.

On the other hand, Lakshman practically doted on that dagger. He gave it a name, Hatyaara, and a birthday, September 16th, and Urmila would not be surprised if he declared it his wife sooner or later. He almost paid as much attention to that dagger as he did her! Besides, the object itself was beautiful, with a jeweled handle, a golden hilt, and platinum steel that reflected the sun. She nodded.

"Don't do it," warned Bharat. She and him would often paint together in their rooms, Urmila favoring portraits and people as Bharat painted trees and villages from their window. They had become very close friends, and Bharat felt the need to warn her. "Lakshman loves that dagger like, well, a wife. He'll go crazy without it!" When Urmila seemed unperturbed, he felt the need to warn her further. "Shatru is trying to bait you! Lakshman has an unmatched temper. Even you, bhabhi, can't match it, I'm telling the truth!"

"What are you talking about?" wondered Shrutakirti as Mandavi nodded along with her. "Lakshman probably has the least temper among you all! Bharat goes mad whenever somebody insults his painting. Shatrughan is always a little cuckoo, sorry arya. Ram bhaiyya gets angry at Urmila didi. Bhaiyya barely has a temper at all!" Mandavi agreed with her, feeling the need to pipe in with her own support.

"We have never seen him with a temper, honestly. And have you seen Urmila's great temper? It makes grown men cow! Can't you see how he backs down whenever they fight, how he tries to escape from her glare? Urmila has the real unmatched temper, you all have mixed them up! Lakshman bhaiyya is too sweet." Bharat facepalm as Shatrughan teetered. Ram winced.

"He only backs down because he loves you so much, he refuses to fight with you. Someday, didi, the argument will be so severe that he fights back, it's true!" When no one took him seriously, Bharat grumbled. "Look, he's being nice. He has the worst temper anyone could ever have, take me seriously, dammit! Listen to me, please! He has a temper not even Urmila didi can match." Finally, when met with disbelieving glances, Ram got into the conversation.

"Fine! Okay! Your four sisters against us three brothers! Sons of Kosala versus Daughters of Videha! We'll prove to you the temper and anger Lakshman possesses. He is no sweetheart, he is a ruthless, torturing, mutilating monster killer who would not hesitate to kill man. He is known as emotionless in our villages, he does not show smiles, nor tears. And when he gets angry, everyone within a mile shall know." he growled, and dragged Bharat and Shatrughan away.

----O

Sita turned towards her sisters, rolling her eyes. "This should be easy enough. He is a sweetheart, the third prince, and Raghunandan loses his mind sometimes when it comes to him. Come on. Urmila, you employ all of your flirting skills. You have a surprising amount. Shrutakirti, appear cute and innocent. Mandavi, well, Mandavi, what will you do?" When Mandavi shrugged, Sita sighed in confusion.

"I'll be the bhabhi that he follows around and respects. He has no temper, I'm telling you. None, his brothers are overexaggerating! Those three will pay for underestimating the daughters of Mithila!" She put a hand out, and got three more on top. The four smirked at each other. Vaidehi and Maithila would win! There was no way those sons of Dasharath would know what was coming towards them!

----O

"Ruthless? Torture machine? Bhaiyya!" Shatrughan chided. 

"Nevermind that. Okay, first plan." muttered Ram, pacing back and forth in front of his second brother's bed, and looking towards the ground as he breathed rapidly in and out. "Distract him with a weapon. Send him a long, brand new dagger, you know how much he loves weapons! That way, whatever the daughters of Videha do, they won't be able to do anything! They won't know what hit them!" he looked up with a deep smirk.

-----O

Meanwhile, poor Lakshman, who did not know anything about what was happening, was talking with Maa Kaushalya as they rode on a carriage around the markets. "Urmila's birthday is coming, did you know, Maa?" He smiled a little bit. "I wonder what she likes. Do you think I should get her a dagger? I love daggers, don't you? Urmila must as well." Kaushalya smiled at her brooding son, brushing a lock of hair out of his eyes at his innocence.

"Oh, Laksh. Ladies don't like daggers, and I know Urmila doesn't, she hates violence. A set of paintbrushes, maybe, goodness knows, that lady loves to paint." she shuddered. Lakshman turned towards her, looking at his mother as if she was an angel coming to save him from the hell on Earth, the fire of confusion that was raiding his mind disappeared.

"Paintbrushes, doesn't that sound nice? Mila will love that! Maa Kaushalya, you are amazing!" He paid for a set of deluxe paint brushes, and put them in Maa Kaushalya's lap. Something whizzed beside him, and he caught an arrow meant to kill the chief queen in mid air without even blinking. Maa Kaushalya rolled her eyes as he turned around and shot the arrow into the crevice from which it had come. "Argh, missed. Sorry Maa!"

----O

"Here," Ram handed Lakshman a dagger. "We wanted you to have an early birthday present." Lakshman frowned at it, before looking up and hugging his brother, and stepping back, frowning some more and wondering if his brother had mixed up his and Urmila's birthdays. He didn't say anything though, because the razor sharpness of the dagger caught his eye, and he walked down the hallways blindly, just staring at his new weapon.

Sita peeked out from around the corner, and scowled. So that was Arya's plan, distract him? Well, she felt a bit guilty asking Urmila to flirt with him, so she sent Shrutakirti instead. It was well known that Lakshman was fiercely protective of Shrutakirti, whom he viewed as a younger sister, and Shrutakirti was fiercely protective of Lakshman, whom she viewed as an elder brother. This should be perfect.

Unknown to her, Ram was doing the same thing, peeking out from around the corner, and his eyes widened as Shrutakirti calmly strolled down. Oh no! Lakshman was sure to leave his weapon at first sight if anything happened to someone he loved. He made to run out, but a devilish Sita stopped him, pulling his arm back and holding him in place as Shrutakirti "tripped" on the floor, squeaking in alarm.

Lakshman dropped the dagger without thought as he dropped to his knees and checked her purple, bruised ankle (which Urmila had imitated with paint). "Are you alright? Are you hurt, Kirti? I think that's just a bruise? Does it hurt terribly? Let me call Shatru-" Shrutakirti shook her head, mission accomplished, though she still felt slightly guilty at making him feel scared, making his heart race.

"I'm fine bhaiyya!" She got up, and he did so too, picking up his dagger and brushing it off, before waving to her and walking down the hall again. With a victorious smile, Shrutakirti ambled down to where Ram put his head in his hands, and low-fived Sita. "Score for the Daughters of Videha! One to zero!" She cried, and Sita and her walked away victoriously.

----O

"WE NEED TO RESTORE OUR NAME!" shouted Shatrughan angrily. "Our wives dare underestimate us! How dare they? It's impossible! WE need to restore our honor, our ego, and our pride as the husband! WE need to prove ourselves right!" Bharat nodded and Ram laughed. Suddenly, a creaking sound came from the side, and all three heads turned to see who was spying on their conversation.

"What?" asked Lakshman, standing in the doorway. "Stop looking so offended and suspicious. You all are in my room. And Sita bhabhi never underestimated Ram bhaiyya. What are you all talking about in your little secret brother meeting?" When nobody said a word, Lakshman sighed. "Okay, okay. I won't ask." he walked out of the room after grabbing a new angavastram, his old one torn and slightly splattered with red. Bharat looked frightened, but Ram thought it must just be cherries.

Bharat suddenly looked up and grinned. "Willow tree. That old thing never fails to incense Lakshman." Ram swallowed hard, hoping that they didn't accidentally harm his brother in their craze to win. What if he was hurt?

"Lakshman's scared of willow trees!" Bharat cried out randomly as the four couples did their daily strolls around the courtyard. "Did you know that, little scaredy-cat you?" Lakshman clenched his jaw and pouted like a little child, but did not say anything as Urmila burst into laughter, grasping her stomach. Sita smiled a bit at his childish fright.

"W-willow tree-hahaha! That's hilarious! So much for being a warrior, you're scared of a stupid little willow tree?" Ram and Bharat smirked at each other. No matter how much they loved each other, Lakshman would most certainly have to be provoked by this! And he was. Ram knew his brother well. Lakshman could only be pushed to a very short distance before completely breaking and losing his temper. This was the breaking point.

"You're scared of spiders. So much for being the great daughter of Janak, scared of an itsy bitsy little nuisance?" Urmila looked up, shocked at being spoken back to, before straightening up and scowling, her hands crossed angrily across her chest as she burned inside at being made fun of. Oh she would show him!

"Spiders are a real thing! They deserve to be scared of. That stupid little willow tree is nothing compared to an eight legged creature who could kill you with one bite, no matter how small he is. Not as stupid as a willow tree!" Lakshman smirked, forgetting that she was his wife. This was exactly how to win a sword fight, find the person's weak point and target it. Perhaps he could apply this to verbally sparring as well.

"Real thing? Aw, Urmila, are you scared of a tiny insect which can be crushed underfoot? I never thought your fright would be so lame! Did a little spider once crawl into your breakfast? Did it crawl up your arms, a big, black, slightly hairy one that inches its legs forward so close that you could see all eight, deep black eyes as it crawled upon your nose, it's pincers inching ever closer...." Urmila shrieked, before turning towards his triumphant self.

"I'd never! You absolute diabolical person! You're a disgrace! I dare you to stand under that tree for a few minutes. There's no reason to be scared, go on, go on! Or are you really not a warrior at all. Are you really your mother's pride? I think she chose wrong." Ram winced. Once didn't go against Maa Sumitra if they wanted to be left alive. One thing that Maa Sumitra had that the other two queens didn't was two children who were very, very tall and very, very dangerous. One was so mischievous and strategic that they could make your life miserable, and the other was so ruthless and strong that he could end that miserable life with a flick of his finger,

"FINE!" he roared, suddenly looking much, much taller, his arms crossed across his chest. Urmila frowned, before also trying to look taller, unsuccessfully. "FINE!" she returned, and they both marched under the tree. Ram covered his eyes. Lakshman definitely had a reason to be frightened of that demon-like tree. Seconds passed, and nothing happened. Ram breathed a sigh of relief, and removed his hands just as the tree splintered.

Urmila screamed as the large branch fell, but Lakshman caught it in time, wincing at its weight. Without blinking, he threw it in mid air and kicked it, over the tall gate walls, over the large outdoor market, and out into the woods surrounding Ayodhya, finally into Guru Vishwamitra's ashram. The Guru smiled knowingly.

Back in the palace, everyone blinked once. "Does my fright make sense now?" Lakshman asked calmly. "Willow trees have it in for me." Sighing, he walked away as Ram, Bharat, and Shatrughan both high-fived.

"Team Sons of Kosala, score! One to one!" The three walked away again. That night, they snuck fifty chili peppers into Lakshman's rice, and he did not react. "Two to one." laughed Ram as they walked away victoriously as Urmila fumed.

"That doesn't make any sense! He's so scary!" cried Shrutakirti. "Lakshman is the scariest thing that ever has existed in this universe. Urmila, how can you sleep every day? Aren't you frightened?" Urmila was very shocked as well. Since when was her husband so fierce? And then, she smiled.

The way he completely disregarded her on their first meeting. The way he talked back to Parashuram himself. The way he held that dagger, as if ready to tear apart anyone who disturbed him, ready to defend his family at first notice. It was there all along, and she had just never noticed it. She liked her fierce husband, she loved his protectiveness, his temper, and every part of him. But she had a bet to win!

"I know. It wasn't my flirting that would distract him, it would be my pain. We'll prove that he's the ultimate sweetheart! I'm sure of it!" Sita looked up with a grin and hugged her little sister. She too was a little afraid of losing to the brothers. "You are our saviour, Urmila! Daughters of Videha for the win!" They did their little cheer.

-----O

Urmila and Lakshman sat in the gardens, swinging their legs on the bench. Urmila was planning to somehow trip, or hurt her ankle, or something to make Lakshman worry. She knew that he would react in a kind, sweet manner, and she also knew that her sisters and brothers were closely watching.

Something felt wrong, however. It was as if something was about to go wrong, something that she couldn't control. Perhaps even something that could end her life. Urmila shook her head. End her life? Had she lost her mind? Urmila tried to steady her increasing heart rate. What was happening? Why was her life flashing in front of her? Why did she suddenly feel like she was about to be unceremoniously dumped at god's feet?

She heard a loud whoosh, like something was moving at a large speed against something. She felt Lakshman's body brush against hers, and a loud sound, like water splattering. Her eyes widened as Lakshman looked down to the arrow embedded in his thigh, and groaned, not in pain, but in exasperation, as if he was expecting it.

"I never got that assassin! It's come back to hit me in the thigh." He frowned, and pulled the arrow out as Urmila screamed, grabbing his arm and pulling him down on the bench as Ram ran over and Sita called for help. The birds stopped chirping. The wind did not blow.

                                                                                  ------O-----

Ram stared at Lakshman's sleeping body. He had barely lost any blood, due to the fact that it had barely grazed his thigh. Ram breathed a sigh of relief. This game had gone too far. Both sides were in agreement, they had to be. It wasn't worth it anymore. For that matter, this game was not worth playing since it started to divide their family. Nothing was worth being separated over. Absolutely nothing.

Finally, a yell from Mandavi came from downstairs, and Ram quickly headed down. "I told you, we won! Lakshman protected her instead of snapping the arrow into two! We won! Do you hear that! Daughters of Videha!" Ram shook his head and appeared in the courtyard, where Bharat and Mandavi were arguing as Sita and Urmila stood towards the side, amused, and Shatrughan looked excited.

"It's a tie!" Bharat responded angrily. "A tie, and it shall always remain that way. This contest ended the moment Soumitri got hurt. We're divided because of this stupid contest, can't you see, Mandavi? Please, listen to reason, I beg of you! We shouldn't act like this." Shatrughan interrupted quickly.

"No, no it won't remain a tie! I won't let it!" When Bharat was about to ask 'what do you mean', Shatrughan raced up the stairs, and yelled to Lakshman "Hey! While you were sleeping lazily, someone shot an arrow into Urmila bhabhi! You're a widower, Lakshman, you lazy fool!" Ram winced. Oh no. He knew Lakshman, and if he anticipated correctly...

"WHAT?!" Lakshman thundered, stepping out of the room, and surveying the courtyard with narrowed eyes. Urmila was hidden from his sight, right under the balcony, and he paled. "WHO DID IT?" he roared, jumping off the floor and landing nimbly on his feet. "WHO DO I TEAR, LIMB FROM LIMB?" Shatrughan followed him, not even looking shaken as the three sisters quivered behind Sita.

Lakshman didn't even show a single sign of having been hit in the thigh by an arrow just hours ago. His dark eyes darted around, before looking confusedly over at Urmila, who's head he recognized peeking out from behind Sita. "Oh, no Shatrughan, you must have made a mistake! Mila is right there!" He shrugged, turning towards Ram and waving, and throwing a dagger into the depths of the willow tree. A body thudded to the ground, and he turned towards his twin, who's turn it was to pale this time.

"Well, she wasn't dead yet, but she was about to be, I might have underestimated you yet! That's four times that assassin has been caught by me, he's doing a horrible job at being a killer." he turned towards Urmila again, this time looking worried. "Are you alright, truly?" Urmila nodded, before widened eyes again, and this time she ran behind Lakshman, who whirled around yet again.

The assassin was getting up, and he threw another dagger carelessly, and he fell. "I don't know about bad at his job, but that person is certainly good at staying alive, that's four encounters that he had with you, Laksh, and he's still alive!" Shatrughan pointed to where the staggering assassin was getting up.

"No, actually, five encounters. You were wrapping Urmila bhabhi's surprise paint brushes when he tried to attack-oh no!" squeaked Shatrughan as Lakshman rolled his eyes. It all made sense to Ram though. That was why Lakshman had that stained angavastram; it was blood after all. Urmila slapped her forehead. So much for surprises. Finally, the assassin managed to get up, and threw the dagger out of his body, running away as Lakshman stared at his retreating back in confusion.

"Hmm," wondered Lakshman cluelessly. "I wonder what I did. Is it how I look?" he shrugged. "I don't know about bad at his job, or good at staying alive, since that wound is going to make him bleed to death soon, but he certainly is very nice. Look! He left my daggers behind." And just when Shrutakirti thought he might be not so scary after all, Lakshman adopted a scarily feral smile which made Urmila laugh. "I'm going to kill him with these very daggers, that was a big mistake. Hey, wait up? Where are you running to, I have a kill to finish and a not-so-dead wife to avenge!"

A/N- I have been planning this chapter since I began this story, so it's nice to finally have written it down. Not quite what I expected when first thinking about it, but I did promise you all a playful chapter, and I do deliver my playful chapters well, no?