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"What happened to you?" Radheya asked, sitting on the ground, a half-eaten mango in his hand. "You look like you want to kill someone." He chuckled, taking another bite and savouring the sweet taste. The sun rays made the fruit shine even more, glistening with the sticky sweetness that made his mouth water.

Ashwatthama frowned, sitting down beside the eating boy with a huff. He kept his bow aside and picked up an apple, taking a bite to soothe his nerves. He kept quiet, the wind combing through his hair as he stared at Radheya's concerned expression.

"Oh come on," He said, his lips still curled around the mango as he took another delicious bite. "What happened now?" He couldn't help but be worried and amused at the same time. It has been just a week since their friendship started and he already knew the expressions the other made when he was angry.

"Nothing." Ashwatthama sighed, keeping the apple aside and leaning against the trunk of an old tree. He was always curious about the way the sunlight played with Radheya, making his features look sharper or softer.

Radheya rolled his amber eyes, not a bit convinced by the bland lie. He knew that pushing too hard or bugging the younger too much would result in nothing so he just continued to eat his lovely mangoes. "Want to practice?" He smiled, knowing that was one of the things which bought both of them peace.

The son of Drona shook his head, noting the confused expression of his friend. He knew why, it was rare for him to say no to archery. "I am not in the mood." He muttered, a bit disappointed in himself. He should be practicing to become the best like his father but here he was, eating apples like a lazy dog.

The son of Radha nodded slowly, noticing the emotions playing on the other's face. "That's okay," He reassured, standing up and picking up his bow, "I will practice for a while. What will you do?" He needed to practice, to prove that he could also become one of the best archers in history.

Ashwatthama paused, looking at his bow and then at Radheya. He should be practicing too but it is like his whole body is protesting the mere thought. "I will...sleep." He whispered after a while, looking at the older boy for a reaction; the familiar disappointment, a twinge of anger or maybe even hatred?

"Sleep?" He repeated, confused and a bit shocked. He had expected the boy to go for a walk, to eat, to watch or even play, but sleeping? That was so out of place from what he has seen in warriors and especially Dronacharya's students and Ashwatthama was literally his son! "I guess that's okay."

Kripanandhan nodded and sat a bit more comfortably, watching as Radheya picked up his stuff. His eyes followed the young warrior as he got ready to shoot. Every arrow sent to the air made him hold his breath as if it was shot by him, not the other. He watched and observed until he felt the tender tug of sleep on the edges of his consciousness. Before he knew it, his eyes had fluttered close and the apple rolled away from his grip.

The wind caresses Ashwatthama's skin like the delicate touch of a mother, the rustling leaves of the trees a welcome backdrop. Radheya smiled, pausing his practice as he saw the other sleeping peacefully, his features softened in the state. He was still a bit bewildered by the vulnerability his friend showed, it was so unusual coming from Ashwatthama who was always the one ready to practice.

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Ashwatthama's eyes fluttered open and he found himself in an unknown place. There were trees, long and strong, casting long shadows in front of him. Unsure yet curious, he took a few steps forward and kept walking until he was met by a sight that made him pause.

There sat a man in a cross legged position, probably in his early twenties. An old sage was sleeping with his head on the man's lap. Wait, Ashwatthama's eyes widened as he noticed the shining jewelry. Aren't those Radheya's kundals?

His breath hitched when he tried to touch a tree for support and his hand passed through it. What was happening to him? Was he dead? Then who are these people? But before he could even start making sense of anything, he saw the sage waking up with an angry expression on, a stark contrast to the peace that enveloped him seconds ago. His eyes flickered to the trail of crimson flowing from the man's thighs and his eyes widened even further.

"You lied to me, Radheya!" The sage roared and the man's head lowered in shame. The world around Ashwatthama seemed to tilt on its axis as he processed the name, Radheya?!

"I am really sorry, gurudev. But I-" He was cut off by the sage who shook his head in sorry, his fists clenched in rage. "You dare lie to me?! You know about my vow, I don't teach Kshatriyas!"

Ashwatthama and Radheya both were shocked at the words and the latter rushed to explain, "But, gurudev. I am a suta." His head bowed again, silently begging for the gods to help him.

"Another lie!" The old man glared, his gaze piercing Radheya like tiny needles. "I curse you. . .that you will forget all the knowledge I gave you!" The moment was sudden that Ashwatthama's head grew dizzy. He didn't understand a thing. What curse? Why?

Suddenly, the whole world started twisting and Dronaputr held his breath, waiting for something to happen. The conversation turned into low whispers and jumbled up lines that made no sense. The last thing he heard was, "Fine, I change the curse. You will forget everything that I taught you when you need it the most." And with that, he was jolted awake in the same surroundings where he fell asleep, Radheya still practicing.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead and took deep breaths, trying to control his racing heart. From the corner of his eyes, he saw a peacock feather flying around and the wind whispered, "You won't remember, only see." Why did the words sound so close? Like he had heard them before.

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"Radheya!" Ashwatthama's voice was slightly shaky as he looked at his friend who seemed to pause his practice. He could see the numerous emotions rushing through those charming amber eyes—confusion, shock, concern and something else but it was too fast for him to catch.

Radheya's eyebrows furrowed and he stood straight again, his bow lowering and his gaze met the hazy one of Dronaputr. What happened? He wanted to ask but decided against it when he spotted the tiniest shake in Ashwatthama's hands. Huh? Worried, he walked closer and sat down, "You okay?"

"What are you?" The words slipped out before Ashwatthama could even blink or think, wait, they sound so wrong. Ashwatthama himself was taken aback by his words, that's now what he wanted to ask.

Radheya's head tilted to a side, confusion clear and he hated it. He hated being confused and not understanding what was going on. "I am a human? The son of Radha and Adhirath. A suta?" He was unsure of what was going on or what he was supposed to say. "Did you lose your memory?"

"No." He blurted out with a frown and clenched fists. He really needed to think before speaking but his brain felt heavy, clouded with what he saw. "Y-You are a...Kshatriya!" His hand quickly went to cover his mouth when he saw the twinge of hurt in his friend's eyes. No, he didn't want to upset Radheya.

The son of Radha leaned back, his grip on the bow tightening as the rough wood bit into his palms but he didn't feel the pain. His eyes were fixed on the wide ones of Ashwatthama, how could he say that? "I am not a Kshatriya." He said, the anger swimming beneath. "I am a suta who wants to be a warrior!"

"But-" He stops himself this time, he can't just continue speaking without knowing if the things he saw were even real. "Maybe it was all a bad dream." He uttered beneath his breath but the sharp ears of an archer can pick up even the smallest sound and he knew that when Radheya's head tilted again, a habit of confusion.

Radheya was about to ask another question when a voice pierced through the tension, his dear mother. He sighed and stood up, brushing off the dirt from his clothes and picking up his weapons. "Meet you tomorrow." He didn't wait for a response and walked away, his mind occupied with what he had heard. His bare feet met the ground as he tried to make sense of the sudden events—his friend's unexpected vulnerability, refusal to practice, decision to sleep and then the rambling about him being a Kshatriya.

Ashwatthama watched Radheya go and then he noticed the setting sun, he didn't practice today! Oh God! He stood up and picked up his own boy and started to walk towards the ashram, seeing the princes going on with their practices and his father who was too busy to notice his distress, like always. 

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── ࣪˖ ࣪ Words - 1570 ࣪ ˖ ──

Hello again, lovely readers! First, let me just bow in respect that you gave my story a chance and then a loud round of applause to all the people who voted and commented, it means tons.

Now, someone asked me about adding smut. Personal answer is a no, yes a NO. Why? I just find it disrespectful as both Karna and Ashwatthama are two complex and great warriors of our history. But~ I can add it if there are a lot of requests still the chances are really low. Lower than one percent. Probably 0.00000(millions of zeros)1% chance. (In reality it is 0% so stop getting your hopes up -_-)

Anyways, a huge thanks again.

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