Krishna smiled as baby Draupadi burped and slept quickly. He then turned to the Pandavas and gestured them to start asking questions.

"Will she grow up normally? Can't we have her back soon?" Nakul asked.

"No. As I said, it's good that she will grow. One must experience childhood." Krishna answered cradling the baby. 'Things we learn in childhood, those lessons are irreplaceable,' was left unsaid, but understood by all.

"Vasudev, then I request you to take her with you, she will grow into a fine woman under you," Yudhisthir said, the forest was no place for a young girl as hers.

"No no Bade Bhaiyya, she is baby now, but she will grow up, and when this Vanvas will be over, she will be the Empress of Aryavart by your side. And who better then might Pandavas themselves?" Krishna said, dramatically denying.

"But-" Yudhisthir paused, he looked unsure, "She will be just fourteen by that time?" He said, not wording his thoughts; will she, as a fourteen year child be ready to the Supreme Empress of Aryavart?

Krishna laughed, as if Yudhisthir had cracked a joke, "You five," Krishna pointed at the brothers, "have the knowledge of the world. And since we have only twelve years to teach, better start early."

Pandavas looked unsure, well the situation was such. Bheem looked up in dilemma, "But Vasudev, she is our wife. Would it be appropriate if we raise her?" He asked.

Krishna sighed, he knew there would be several questions, "Majle Bhaiyya, it is our intent. Keep your intents pure and teach her the truest things. Even Pradhyumna was raised by his wife." He guided.

Yudhishthir nodded, he understood that they would have to raise her, but he was fearing. What if he did something stupid like dyut again?

"One more thing. The truth of Panchali must be kept hidden, even from your wives. Only the six of us must know the truth." Krishna reminded them.

Pandavas nodded.

"Bhrata Krishna, will Panchali ever remember her life again?" Nakul asked.

"I'm afraid no, she won't," Krishna replied.

Though it was best that she would forget that dreadful day, a lifetime full of happy memories had been wiped out.

Those merry moments of Panchali with them, they would be gone. Of course as everyone would say, you can always make new memories, but what of past? Could it be forgotten?

Krishna walked ahead and handed the sleeping child to Sahdev, "You must address her with a new name. She shouldn't know who she is, until she is ready for the truth." Krishna said.

"Vasudev, you have always been light of our lives. It would be fitting if only you give her a new name."

Krishna smiled, again, "As you wish." He looked at the child and said, "Shubhangini, the auspicious one," He said, knowing that everything in her life, from the moment onwards would be happy.

Arjun looked at Draupadi and took her in his hands, carefully, making sure she won't wake up, "Panchali, we have wronged you once, but we promise, nothing evil shall even be near to you." Pandavas nodded simultaneously and promised.

Krishna looked at the five, "Allow me to take my leave," Pandavas nodded, they wished he had stayed a little more, but Krishna had jobs to do.

"There is a problem Jyesth," Sahdev said, "we all have our penances to do as well."

"We will have to do both, together," Nakul suggested. Sahdev replied, "No God will be pleased with a penance where we would be doing something else as well." That was true.

The other Pandavas were worried, but not Arjun. He only smiled, for his mind had already worked on an idea.

"No God will he pleased, but a mother will be." He exclaimed. "I shall worship the mother of all, the Goddess who brings terror at night, jo kaal ki raatri lekar aaye, Maa Kaalratri." Arjun's word gave an idea to others.

Bheem smiled and said, "I shall worship Maa Durga, for strength and courage."

"And we will serve Maa Sheetala fir the knowledge of medicine." The younger twins exclaimed.

"But first, we must please Nidra Devi, so we can use maximum of our time." Arjun concluded and others nodded.

Bheem was about to say something but Nakul beat him by screaming, "she is awake and she is so cute."

Draupadi, or Shubhangini was now all awake and looking at the five of then cutely, her eye lashes moving as she blinked.

'Awww' the five said internally.

Yudhishthir walked to Sahdev and picked Panchali, and booped her nose lightly.
He stared at his wife who giggled in response, making all of the melt with her cuteness.

"Jyesth, you must me tired, hand her to me," Bheem urged, but Yudhishthir was in no mood to do so, "no Bheem, I'm fine."

And that was how, the Pandavas fought, not really, for the first time, and this probably wouldn't be last, after all who wouldn't want to hold her?

»»--------------------------««

Rudraakshi DrauniPriya Captain_Sham
These people haven't chosen a character, so I went ahead and gave them one *evil smirk*

Rudraakshi
is ped 🌲 on which Drau will climb

DrauniPriya
is book/s 📕which Drau will read

Captain_Sham
is toy/s 🧸with which Drau will play

If anyone else want to such inanimate objects/characters, you can be 😈😈😈😈

NOW IMPORTANT:
Any guesses what will happen next in the story? Double update for the right answer.