While I couldn't see Arjun sad, he needed to realise that this is war.. I feel Krishn might have hit his head or something for him to lift his bow again before the battle, but he wasn't truly prepared for the deaths.

"Bhabhishree, what is it you'd like to talk to me about? " He asked as we sat by the guards training as we spoke. 

" Are you ready to kill tomorrow? " I asked sternly. I saw his body go rigid next to me.

" Of course. Why not? " He said, though I felt him grit his teeth, as if to convince himself.

" You do understand. What we're doing is because-"

" Bhabhishree. " He stopped me, placing my hand on his head, " I'm well aware of what we're fighting for. But you must understand. It will take some time for me to get used to hurting those I've loved and respected all my life. "

" And I am not stopping you from hurting. Just... " I gently held his face, " Don't let your emotions overcome your will to fight. That's all. " I smiled at him and walked back.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

As I walked into my tent, I saw mu husband playing with our children.

" Mumma! " Abhi exclaimed happily and he looked up, eyes glimmering with the happiness the children brought him.

Abhi ran over, clutching me by the waist, " My bacha, " I said, " How much did you trouble your father hmm? " I teased, kissing his forehead.

" Not at all. We are very good children aren't we papa? " He asked, smiling as Yudhishthir nodded, pulling Madhu closer into a hug.

" The best. " He said warmly and the children perked up at the praise.

" Now come on. Time to sleep. " I said when I heard a voice at the door, " Samragyi, Samrat?" A muffled voice called.

" Children, go to sleep. We'll be back soon. " Yudhishthir said, leaving no room for any arguments as we walked out of the room.

" Who's there? " Yudhishthir asked as Jyeshth looked up at us from the map.

" Arjun and Bheem were calling you. We need to discuss tomorrow's plans. " He said sternly and we followed him.

" What is it about now? "I wondered aloud and I saw Yudhishthir sigh.

" Must be tomorrow's planning. We are planning to k-kill GuruDron tomorrow. " He said and I frowned.

" We? When did you decide that? " I asked and he shook his head.

" Yesterday, while Kumari Shikhandini and I were talking, she mentioned how Pitamah's death would enrage Duryodhan and he'll try his best to scare us, and what better way than to have GuruDron as their Senapati. " He said.

" I agree but shouldn't we take a rest? All of you are emotionally hurt-"

" War doesn't let us decide when we're ready to fight Sagarika. We have no option. GuruDron's death will bring us closer to the end, to justice for all. " He spoke softly, pulling me into a soft hug outside the tent.

" I know.. But I'm worried for you, " I whispered to him, feeling the stubble on his jaw against my rough hands.

" I know... But we'll be alright. " He kissed my forehead and we walked inside.

The round table was stern, but the most important member on the table was absent.

" Where is Senapramukh Shikhandini?"  I asked aloud and was met with hesitant stares.

" Samragyi, she's -well- she suffered major blows and despite her immense bravado, her body wasn't able to -"

"Karali! " A grieving voice called and I looked around to see Sphulingini rush in with tears streaming down her face. She fell into my hands, as I steadied her weight.

" Sphulingini? " I asked softly and she shook her head, burrowing deeper into my arms. I could only hold her as I caressed her hair in hopes of comforting her, my saree pallu wet with her tears.

" Samragyi. It is time to offer the last respect to your Senapramukh. " Another despondent voice called, as Sudhuma walked in, eyes hard but stormy.

No... No! Why? What had she done! What was her crime?

My eyes shifted to Krishn, ' You said only Maharaj Shantanu's blood. What is this! Why punish my sister so'? I asked him, as he shook his head, as if mentally wiping my tears away.

' Death doesn't discriminate Sakhi. All humans are destined to meet their end. Devi Shikhandini's birth was for the purpose of Mahamahim's death. Now that her purpose is over, her soul demands freedom. It's life Sakhi'. He sighed, coming over to us.

" Krishnaa? " He whispered softly, as my sister looked up at him.

"Govind, " She said, " What was jiji's fault here? She was innocent! " She cried.

" Sakhi.. Death is for all mortals. You and your sisters know it better than everyone. All souls need freedom.. Wouldn't you rather bid your sister goodbye with love? " He said softly to her.

Sphulingini's eyes glassed over, but she nodded, reluctantly.

"Come, " She called in a hoarse voice, " Jiji's pyre needs to be lit. " She walked out, her dark long braid behind her, but it was falling away, as if her soul was leaving her body.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" Sagarika?" Yudhishthir's hushed voice called as I flopped in the bed for the fifth time this night.

" Mhm? " I murmured, shifting to look at him.

" What is it? Why are you unable to sleep? " He asked me softly, placing one hand under my chin.

" I just.. I have a feeling things aren't going to go our way tomorrow. Something will go wrong and I cannot shake that feeling off me. " I sighed and he smirked.

" My wife has also become a fortune teller now? Ah what a talented-"

One glare shut him off, even as he laughed.

" Come here, " He said, " With me. " He extended his arm, pulling me over with the other. My back rested against his thumping heart as he ran soothing circles on my arm.

" Priye. No one knows what will happen tomorrow. All we can hope for is for the best. And don't you keep telling me there's no point in stressing over anything because you don't know the outcome nor will you be able to change it? So relax my darling flame... Sh. I'm here... I promise. " He said even as I had a question at my lips.

" Shh. No questions. Nothing. Sleep. " He mumbled, hiding a yawn as hi kissed my forehead, running his hand down my hair in comfort.

This is love. True and pure. I would be ashamed and simultaneously proud to tell you o fell asleep in not more than five minutes.

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

While the plan for the day was simple, it was also the hardest plan ever.

Because Krishn cannot restrain from spreading chaos, he drops the biggest bomb on the century on my husband...

" I have never lied Vasudev, nor will I ever. You expect too much. " He shook his head even as I facepalmed myself.

Krishn and his antics.

" But Samrat think of the benefit. GuruDron won't trust anyone but you. He believes you tell the truth. " Jyeshth Karn spoke in, even as AJ raised a valin point.

" But he'll know that we look alike. What if he thinks it's me instead of Samrat? He won't trust him. "

" But that is why you must be the one who is fighting Shakuni mitr. He wouldn't know who it is. And I'm not sure he'll waste time trying to figure out -"

" He definitely will jijashree." Sulo cut Bheem off, " His son, his most prized.. Possession in this universe is on the line. He won't make haste. " She added.

" The only way to distinguish between Yudhishthir and AJ is by me being close to both. I can tell who's who because I'm very close to both. I must convince GuruDron that the one who's talking to him is Yudhishthir. " I said.

" But I won't lie. All this is pointless-"

" You're not lying. " Krishn cut in.

" What? How else do you plan to say Ashwatthama is dead if he isn't lying? " AJ asked.

Bheem and Arjun exchanged sad glances..

" What? What is it? " I asked.

" There's an elephant.. By the name of Ashwatthama in our army. " Nakul spoke, as if it hurt him far too much.

" Absolutely not. No innocent animal will die for this." Sulohita cut in.

"But then -"

" No one need to kill anyone. Till now we've been telling Saag to be able to convince GuruDron that Yudhishthir is indeed the one who speaks to him. What if he isn't. " AJ cut in.

" What? " His wife asked confused.

" I'll tell GuruDron that Ashwatthama is dead. All Saag has to do is convince him that I'm her husband. " He said and he received strange looks from all except me and Krishn.

" You might just take my post as the cleverest man in Aryavart mitr. " Krishn teased.

"But? Accepting another man as her husband? People will laugh at her. " Sphulingini broke in.

" What choice do we have? My husband won't lie. And besides. It's not as of AJ is marrying me. All I need to say is. Yes. Yudhishthir is my husband. That's the truth. "

" And what if he asks if the man next to you is Yudhishthir? What then? " Sudhuma cut in.

" Well, my husband should be next to me then. So should my brother. " I answered, my mind feeling free with the possibility of the plan working.

" So you'd have Sagarika lie? " Yudhishthir's voice cut in.

" No Samrat. " Krishn finally said, his tone as if leaving no more room for argument. " Sakhi won't be lying. You must be next to her. She will answer honestly itself. " He reassured Yudhishthir, who's eyes darkened, but he nodded solemnly.

" Right then.. Let's go. "

^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•^•

" Truly? My -my-my son cannot be dead! " He called to Bheem, as I watched through the sidelines, watching AJ pull up.

" Tell me, Yudhishthir. You do not lie. Is Ashwatthama dead? " His voice was full of agony, even my heart broke.. I couldn't imagine losing Abhi.. I imagine that's how he feels.

" Y-yes. " AJ said, eyes sharp. " Ashwatthama is dead. " He said, but GuruDron caught on the stutter.

"No. You cannot be Yudhishthir. Yudhishthir doesn't lie. " Which was when he saw Yudhishthir fighting Vikarn, GuruDron's eyes sharp as they moved between Yudhishthir and AJ before they fell on me.

" Samragyi Sagarika! Tell me. Who is your husband? " He shouted.

" Yudhishthir, is my husband GuruDron! " I answered back equally boldly.

" Then walk towards him, swear on your son's life and walk to your husband. " He called angrily and my heart fell out of my throat.

I - what?

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

So.....

Ahem... I love chaos.

If you haven't seen the announcement, I'm finally back with my schedule of daily updates!

Much love.

Radhekrishn ♥