Heading into the new part of the forest, Savitri realized that there was one thing that the hunter forgot to tell them before they departed to continue their journey.

The distance.

He had said that it was only a few miles, but was it a few miles in his terms or a few miles in a person who had never walked more than a mile before? Savitri was leaning towards the former, though, based on how much pain throbbed in her calves.

The rain had stopped and evening kissed the sky, running its luscious fingers through the gray streaks and coloring the atmosphere with a beautiful, flowery pink color. The purple that edged it reminded Savitri of one of Suman's flowers. He had collected a plethora, though, so there were bound to be more of the same.

"This is...incredibly boring," Suman groaned. He dragged his feet behind her with his back slouched like a hunchback. Every now and then he'd look up when he was distracted by a pretty flower, or pretty bush, or pretty...anything really, but otherwise he'd just stare despondently at the ground, as if he hoped it would crack open and swallow him up to take him away from the boredom he was engulfed in.

"Would you like another fire?" Savitri couldn't hide her snippiness. "Or perhaps a tornado this time, since you'd like some adventure."

"I never said that I found the fire particularly exhilarating," Suman said. "That was you."

"Me?"

"Of course. Why else would you keep running around the place? I was sure that we'd gone in circles a few times."

"I was trying to help people escape," Savitri grumbled. "What were you doing? Panicking?"

"For both of us, yes," Suman replied promptly. "But to be fair, I also helped."

"That's true, I cannot deny that," Savitri admitted. She had to stop again when Suman derailed off the path to poke at what looked like a purple caterpillar. She sighed. "But sometimes I wonder if you're just a child trapped in an adult's body."

"Why?" Suman let the caterpillar crawl onto his hand. "I'm not a child. I'm twenty four!"

"And yet you seem to possess the mental capacity of a four year old," Savitri muttered under her breath.

"At least four year olds have a sense of humor," Suman said. "What about you? A nani stuck in a twenty-one year old's body?"

"I like to think that I just have more manners and common sense than you do," Savitri said. "But if you want to call it that, then yes, I am a nani in a young girl's body."

"I'll remember that for any future conversations." Suman finally straightened his back and stretched his arms as his bones popped back into place. "You know, they should invent something that can...I don't know, capture our voices? That would make evidence so much easier than relying on memory."

"Especially unreliable memory," Savitri added. "But actually, that is not a bad idea." She grinned. "Maybe if you grew up a little you could make something like that."

Suman scoffed and tucked his hair back. "I'm already grown up," he said with a weak glare. "I just like to fool around, so what?"

"It's annoying," Savitri said. "Especially during serious times."

"You can't be serious all the time."

"But you can't be silly all the time either."

"...That is fair, I'll admit," Suman mumbled. Savitri beamed victoriously.

"Conceding defeat so soon?" She teased him, poking his shoulder. "That's not like you."

He laughed. "Well, I suppose that you don't know me very well," he said.

It was meant to be a joke, but Suman's reply made Savitri pause. She dragged her finger down her bottom lip. Suman was right. She didn't really know him at all, but then again, he didn't know her well either.

"Savitri?" Suman frowned. "Are you okay? It was a joke, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to imply anything..."

"You weren't wrong, though," Savitri said. "We really don't know anything about each other."

Suman shrugged. "Do we have to? I trust you. That should be enough to complete this journey."

"Do you even understand why we're on this journey?"

"You want to defy death's orders and reunite with your husband?"

"Yes! Well...no, sort of?" Savitri groaned. She didn't know if she was going to regret explaining her past to Suman later, but she figured that she owed him an explanation, even if he wouldn't completely understand. She didn't want him to think that she was just being greedy.

"I met Satyavan by accident," she began, staring down at the ground to keep herself from witnessing Suman's expression, and to keep him from seeing her eyes turn vulnerable. "I was supposed to be going home from visiting my cousin, but we had to rest for the night. Satyavan lived in the home we stayed at, and I suppose that you could say that it was love at first sight." A bitter laugh left her. "I was warned by the gods not to marry him. Sage Narada told me he'd die one year after our wedding and yet, I persisted." The forest quieted, shushing every animal and blocking the wind to listen to her story. "I was given a chance to save him when I did...but I didn't. I...I ruined my wish, and Dharmaraj took him away." Fiery determination swept through her and knocked her head up high. "But I need another chance. I need to make this right...I need my husband."

Suman was quiet...too quiet. When Savitri turned (albeit hesitantly) to look at him, he was fooling around with the caterpillar that was cupped in his hands. It was a new one this time - a grayish-blue one.

Fume chugged out of Savitri's ears. "Did you hear anything that I said?" She demanded, planting her hands on her hips. Her elbow chafed against the bow, probably creating a bruise, but she ignored it.

"Of course, I did," Suman said, petting the caterpillar. Savitri had to admit, at least he didn't bring a spider with him. "But what do you want me to say? I have no doubt that it isn't the pity that you want." He finally met her gaze as he let the small animal crawl onto a lush leaf. "So, what is it?"

"I-I don't know!? Acknowledgement, maybe?"

"I just acknowledged you," Suman stated dryly.

Savitri stammered. "Well, then what was the point of telling you all of that?" She slapped her hands against her thighs and groaned when they didn't fall into a small pocket - they should put pockets on these clothes! "I open up to you, try to make you understand, and that's what you tell me?" She shook her head. "You know what? Forget it then, Suman!" She stomped past him, but Suman's hand shot out and grabbed her wrist. She yelped, narrowly avoiding smashing her face into his chest as he pulled her in for what felt like a hug from a bear.

"You looked like you needed one." His voice was muffled.

"I don't need a hug," Savitri grumbled, yet she found her side relaxing against his. This does feel nice. Liberating, even.

"Okay, maybe that was needed," she said as they pulled away. "Thank you."

Suman grinned. "Anytime!" He said. "You really looked like you needed it, though. I'm sorry about Satyavan, but we're going to see him soon! Hopefully alive too."

"Yes, hopefully alive," Savitri said and gave a huffing laugh.

They continued to walk, and this time Savitri found herself able to tolerate Suman's scenic stops or his information dumps on the different kinds of animals they encountered in the forest. Thankfully, he ignored the spiders, although now she did feel sorry for making him release Makadee.

The sky was turning dark blue when Suman's stomach opened its mouth for the first time and let out a large, loud rumble. Nothing but the plants shook, thankfully (as Savitri really didn't need a tornado to add to their growing problems), and Suman stopped and patted his belly.

"I'm hungry," he announced. "Can we eat something?"

Savitri stopped too. "Eat what?"

"I don't know. Did we bring anything to eat?"

"That wasn't left in Takshaka's home or burned?" Savitri frowned. "No, I don't think so."

Suman slumped against a tree and let his body slide down onto the ground. "My tummy hurts," he complained. "I don't even remember the last time that I ate."

"It's only been a few days." But even Savitri had to agree with him. Aware of the lack of food in her body, her stomach growled and shifted.

Suman's eyes surveyed the open scene like a lion. He jumped up suddenly. "Look!"

In front of them, close to a small area that wasn't shaded from the setting sun, a group of pomegranate trees stood bunched together. The ripe, ruby fruits looked inexplicably delectable in the sun as the dew glimmered tantalizingly. Suman all but rushed to the potential dinner.

"That was...convenient," Savitri muttered, following him as she looked around the treetops, wondering if they also held some fruit that she wasn't aware of despite having stared at the sky one too many times. She stood behind Suman as he pulled his bow out from behind him and set an arrow on the string. Pulling back, he fired through the tree, lodging the arrow into the tree behind it, but this time, stacked with two, juicy pomegranates dripping from the tip.

"Dinner is ready, princess." Suman gave a flourished bow and went to collect his arrow. Savitri watched him quietly as he scaled the tree to reach his food.

"You really are a monkey." She smirked when he came down.

"Born and raised in the woods, after all," he grinned and offered one of the pomegranates to her. "The seeds in this one are really sweet." He held up his. "This one is a bit sour, but that's okay."

"You like the sour ones?" She took the sticky fruit.

Suman swallowed with a grimace. "Not really," he said. "They're okay, though. I do not mind eating them." He regarded the trees. "But we should collect some more. Just in case."

"Can you show me how to do it?" Savitri asked as she wiped her fingers on a leaf. "I want to practice a bit since my...last attempt." With Satyavan's illusion

Suman licked his fingers and wiped them on his pants. "Sure!" He beamed. "Come on. I'll help you set up."

With a warm, dewy atmosphere surrounding them, Suman helped position Savitri's feet where his were. He pointed one straight and one to the side. His hands fell on her hips momentarily, angling her body so that she was able to turn her head. He set the arrow in her bow, using one hand to steady her weapon and the other to pull her hand far back enough that it would fly with the same force as his arrow. His face bent down close to hers and his warm, sweet breath fanned on her neck.

"You gotta aim without distractions," he said, his voice a vibrating murmur in her ear. "Tell me, what do you see?"

"Um..." Savitri hesitated. "The pomegranate, trees-!"

"Wrong." Suman laughed. "That means that you're distracted." He shuffled his body closer to hers and pulled the arrow back more. "Tell me again, what do you see?"

Savitri gulped. When did he get this close? That was distracting her, but she ignored the fuzzy mound that tickled inside her stomach and closed one of her eyes, concentrating on the fruit.

"I see the pomegranate," she replied.

"Just the pomegranate? Nothing else?"

"No, nothing else."

She could feel Suman smiling against her hair. "Okay. Shoot."

He let go of her hand just as she let the arrow fly. With a whistle, it shot through the trees, brushing past them with such a speed that the leaves didn't even bristle. A crack and thud let Savitri know that her arrow had met its mark. Rushing to Suman's spot, she squealed with uncontained delight as four pomegranates dripped from the bow.

Suman whistled lowly. "Nice work." He approved and patted her shoulder. "I told you that you could do it, didn't I?"

Savitri blushed. "Yes, I suppose you did say that," she admitted. "Do you mind getting them? I'm not a big fan of climbing?"

"Sure." Suman began to scale the tree again. Savitri studied him.

"Where did you learn that?"

"Learn what?"

"The whole, 'keep your eyes on the goal' sort of thing. Where did you learn it?"

Suman hesitated. "Different teachers," he said. "Sage Agastya being one of them," He jumped down and tucked the pomegranates into his quiver, which was starting to become a makeshift bag.

"You're very vague about your private life, aren't you, Suman?" Savitri teased and nudged his shoulder. "Hiding something?"

Suman scoffed. "No, it's just not important."

"Your life isn't important?"

"My family certainly thought so."

"What does that mean?"

"It means..." he tossed her a few seeds from the pomegranate he was chewing on. "We should continue to find our way to the bridge and village before it becomes really dark." He ruffled her hair. "Why all the questions?"

"Why so vague?" Savitri retorted. "I told you about my life."

Suman leaned against the tree and turned his head, gazing at the short expanse of road in front of them before they hit a muddy patch. "It was never a bargain," he said, his voice suddenly going quiet. "You wanted to tell me. I never pushed for any answers."

"Why not?" Savitri came to stand beside him. "Weren't you curious?"

Suman chewed on another seed. "No. It's not my place to ask, so I don't." He dug a small hole in the ground with his sandals. "I was never in the right place, anyway."

Curiosity flooded Savitri's mouth and tugged her lips open to ask the question that was pooling in her mind, but seeing Suman's sad eyes and tight lips made her stop.

It's not my place either, she thought. And I can't push him to talk if he's not willing to. . That wouldn't be fair.

"Okay, fine," she huffed. "I won't put my nose into any of your business." Suman's tense chest fell with relief. "But," Savitri smirked. "You were right about keeping our eye on the goal." She patted his back. "Let's keep going."

"What?" Suman's voice was a mix of surprise and a whine. "But...it's becoming dark?"

"We can rest once we've crossed the bridge," Savitri said. "Besides, the town should be close after. Hopefully we can find a place to sleep there and continue to Darchan."

"We've been doing a lot of sleeping and walking," Suman grumbled, but complied unwillingly to Savitri's idea. "When are we going to do some more action?"

"Like with Agni? And Kandrat?"

"Yes!"

"Suman," Savitri sighed. "We just escaped a fire. How much more excitement do you want for one day?"

"More," Suman beamed. "This is the most fun that I've had in years!"

"You know...you're actually right." Savitri giggled. "This is also the most fun that I've had in years." She paused, then sighed. "Only I wish I could be enjoying it with Satyavan...no offense!"

"None taken."

She smiled. "You're very flexible, aren't you, Suman?"

"I try to be." He wiped his sticky mouth.

"It's a good thing, to be flexible," Savitri said. Again, she paused. "I'm sorry."

Suman blinked. "For what?"

"For being so annoyed with you in the beginning," she said. "It wasn't fair of me, and you've proved to be a very good companion and...friend!" She stopped herself before she could get emotional. "But you're still a little annoying."

Suman smiled warmly. "I'll take that," he said.

It took them another thirty minutes of walking and talking before they finally reached the rickety bridge that the hunter had mentioned. It was stretched over a rushing river, held together by two creaky ropes. The wood was splitting and old, worn by age, wind, and water.

In other words: it didn't look very safe.

Rushing underneath the rickety old bridge was a vicious river filled with sharp, protruding rocks that glimmered in the early night. The bridge wasn't too high above the water, but when Savitri glanced at Suman to ask him if he was ready to go, she noticed that his face had paled significantly and he was picking at his bow very quickly. He tried not to show it, but his arms trembled and his lip quivered.

"Hey." She touched his arm, bringing his unsteady gaze to her. "We're going to be alright, okay?"

"I know...we will..." Suman stammered. He bit his lip and his eyes welled up. "I'm sorry, I'm just...I'm very afraid of heights...I can't...I don't know..."

"It's okay." Savitri took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently. "Come on, one baby step at a time."

Slowly, she led him to the entrance of the bridge. It swayed in the wind, creaking and groaning, and Suman tensed in her arms, like he was ready to run.

"No, we're going to do this together, Suman," Savitri said firmly. "Look, I'll be right next to you. You're not going to fall...trust me."

Immediately, he relaxed, evoking a surprised jump of Savitri's heart. He had told her that he trusted her before, but she didn't think that he was really serious about it. Warmth flooded her stomach.

"No...no...not again..." Suman mumbled. His eyes were squeezed shut as Savitri led him to make his first step on the bridge. He yelped and his hand squeezed the blood out of hers, but she swallowed her own yelp and tried to smile even though he wasn't looking.

"You're doing great," she murmured. "Now, one more step...yes, like that...no! Don't look down! Keep your eyes ahead."

"Saviri..." Suman mumbled. "I'm scared...I'm really, really scared..."

Savitri stopped suddenly, and her heart plummeted. Memories swept through her mind.

Savitri...I'm scared...my love, I'm scared...really, really, scared...

Oh, Satyavan, Savitri sniffled, then covered her unwanted display of emotion with a cough. "I understand that you're scared, Suman," she said, keeping her voice steady to assure him. "But I'm right here. Look, can you feel me?"

"Yes..."

"Can you look at me?"

Two shy, dark eyes opened. He looked down, then at Savitri's snap, directly at her.

"Do you see me, Suman?" She asked, taking another step. He stepped back. "What do you see?"

"You," he replied and gulped. "I see you...your brown eyes...bow-shaped mouth...there's some pomegranate juice...it's red...like rubies...like-oh!"

He gasped when the sole of his toe felt the soft, damp grass under him. Looking around, a wide grin tugged his lips as Savitri followed him, mirroring his smile.

"I did it!" He exclaimed. He picked Savitri up and spun her around. "I did it!"

She laughed. "Yes, you did! You did it, Suman, you did it!"

He put her down and stepped away from her. Bringing her hand up to his mouth, he bent down and kissed her palm.

"Thank you, Savitri," he murmured as his reddening eyes dried. "Thank you so much. What you did...I haven't been able to cross anything high in such a long time."

Savitri grinned, her neck and cheeks red and warm. "Well, how are you going to climb Kailash?" She asked, watching as some color returned to his face.

"As long as I don't look down, I'll be fine," Suman said. "It's only bridges and cliffs that really make me worry. It's so easy to look down a fall..." he shivered. "Anyway, it's over now. I'm done with that for a while." He wiped his brow. "Thank bhagwan."

Savitri giggled. "You were very brave back there," she said, waiting for him to reattach his bow. "Now come on. It's getting dark and we have to get to the village soon."

They walked through the forest at a speed Savitri had wished they had used when they started this quest, but it was no point bellyaching about it now, since they had already gotten so far. As they walked, passing a large, dark cave, Savitri could begin to see the glossy, white and gray tip of Mount Kailash looming over them. She guessed that when they reached the town, they would be able to see it better. They were so close, the hope only grew in Savitri's chest.

We're almost there, she told herself, smiling. Just a few days, stay in there, Satyavan.