The journey matters, not the arrival.

Advika turned to see who spoke in such a manner with her. The other five brothers also furrowed their brows as they saw the person.

Duryodhan was fuming. How dare that scoundrel speak to his mamashree, in such a manner. His mamashree was insulted, by being asked to apologize. He did not care if he was the eldest, he won't leave anyone who spoke to his mama, in that manner. That girl was no less, she mocked his mamashree too.

He, somehow had managed to leave the gathering, where his parents, Pitamaha Bhishma and Kaka Vidur was sitting with Bhagwan Parshurama. He walked around the palace, only to stumble upon the very women who mocked his mamashree. He felt a surge of anger at her.

"What are you doing here?" said Duryodhan, his voice rude. Advika simply raised her eyebrows.

" I was invited here by the Rajmata, is there a problem?" said Advika.

Yuddhisthir was hoping Duryodhan will not create trouble. Before he could mediate, Duryodhan spoke up. " Of course, there is a problem. Common people are not allowed in the Palace, especially those who belong in the dungeons..." said Duryodhan, rage clear n his voice.

" Is that so?" Asked a voice from behind. Everyone looked behind Duryodhan to see Karna and Kunti standing there. Duryodhan gulped, while Yuddhisthir sighed in relief. The other four princes were still glaring at Duryodhan.

" Well?" said Karna, as he folded his hands.

"She belongs there, for she mocked my mamashree and so do you for insulting him!" said Duryodhan, before leaving.

" I apologize, Putra, Putri, on behalf of him, " said Kunti.

" It's fine ma!! You don't need to worry!" said Karna.

" Haa Rajmata! It's fine." said Advika.

The five smiled and looked among each other.

"Now we can call you jyesht, that's great" said Sahadev, cheering.

Karna smiled and a certain playful glint appeared in his charcoal eyes.

"Accha? I thought you were calling me jyesht from the day you got to know me?" said Karna. His mischievous tone not escaping Advika and Kunti's notice.

" Huhh!! Aap kya bol rahe hai jyesht? I did not understand."asked Arjun, actually confused. Karna smiled a slow, soft smirk. If it had been Radha or Adirath or Guru Parshurama, they would have known that their son/ student was up to mischief. But none of them were there. Only Advika would recognize the smirk, and she wont stop him from having fun. Kunti understood her eldest was about to create mischief. A soft smile came on her lips, as she thought of her eldest.

"Maa, how could you lie to me?" asked Karna, a mock hurt tone in his voice, as he turned to Kunti. He gave her a wink to play along. Kunti stopped a smile from coming on her face.

"I did not lie, putra!" said Kunti, a confused tone in her voice. Karna felt his smirk widen. He loved his mother, she sure knew how to play along.

"Haa jyesht, maa jhut nehi bolti! "said Yuddhisthir, a bit worried.

" Phir to tum log jhut bol rahe ho!" said Karna, his face a bit sad.

" Kya? But when did we lie?" asked Yuddhisthir, aghast he was accused of lying. He could not do so even in his dreams or even nightmares.

" Haa jyesht, what are you talking about?" asked Bhima, confused.

Arjun and Nakul looked at each other, wondering what was going on. Kunti and Advika was stifling their laughter.

" Dekho maa, How they are acting confused and innocent, now! " said Karna, looking hurt for all the world to see.

" What?" said Arjun.

All five looked at each other, wondering when did they lie?

"You told me that you were not calling me jyesht from the day you met me. Wo to jhut tha, na! "

" Nehi! You have a misunderstanding. We have known you are our elder brother, since we met you. " said Yuddhisthir panicking.

Arjun and Nakul slapped their foreheads. While Bhima looked guilty and Sahadev was shaking his head.

Karna noticed their expression. They were now caught. He decided he was going to leave them be, for now.

" Waise.., Yuddhisthir I did not know you would get tensed by seeing a cabbage! And Arjun, Nakul and Sahadev, how was the show? I hope you enjoyed it!" teased Karna.

Yuddhisthir, Nakul, Sahadev and Arjun were red as a tomato.

Kunti, Bhima and Advika burst into laughter.

"Aap ko pata tha? " asked Yuddhisthir, very embarrassed.

"Not really! I knew someone was following me that day, but could not get who it was! WhenMa said about your adventures, I realized what was happening." hummed Karna. His smile soft as he looked at his brothers.

They all smiled among themselves. The other five went to hug Karna..which Karna returned. Advika and Kunti watched, a soft smile on their respective faces. Kunti turned to the girl beside her.

" Putri..thank you for being there for him." said Kunti, gratefully. Karna had shared his hard childhood with her, and she was feeling terribly guilty. She was glad there was someone who could be there for him.

" Rajmata, he is my best friend. That's my duty." said Advika.

" Rajmata nehi, Mata bulao! Aren't I like your mother?" said Kunti, a soft smile playing on her lips. Advika smiled at the acceptance.

" Thik hai..Mata." said Advika, after a bit of hesitance.

Kunti beamed at her. She caressed her head.

" I always wanted daughter, but got six sons. Not that I do not love them, but a daughter would have been nice." said Kunti, pouting a bit.

Advika laughed. The brothers broke their hug. Just then a daas came.

"Rajmata..Mahamahim Bhishma has asked all of you to come to the informal Sabha griha." said the daas.

" Tum jao..We are coming." said Kunti.

Mahamahim Bhishma sat beside Guru Parshurama. With him sat Maharaja and Maharani, along with Mahamantri Vidur. They all were waiting for Kunti and the six princes along with Advika to arrive.

They entered the room. Kunti and Advika were in the front, followed by the six. Karna and Yuddhisthir walking slightly in front, with Arjun and Bhima on Karna's side and the twins on Yuddhisthir's side.

Bhishma smiled at the scene. The brothers stood united. He was truly happy.

"Kunti, Gurudev wanted to meet Karna, before he left. " said Bhishma. Kunti nodded. Karna smiled. He went forward to meet him. "Kalyan ho! ", the blessing came immediately.

" Chalo mere saath! " said Parshurama. He wanted to speak with his youngest student. Karna nodded at him. He looked at his mother, Advika and his brothers, who nodded too. He smiled. Guru Parshurama looked at his student who stood beside him patiently.

" Did you know, now?" said he.

" Yes gurudev!" answered Karna.

" How are you feeling?" asked Parshurama, a bit curious.

" Not sure yet. I don't want to leave Radha maa and Adhirath Pitashree. But I don't want to leave maa and my brothers as well. I am confused." said Karna, a lost look on his face. Parshurama understood.

" Find the middle ground. Speak with your adopted parents. Take their opinions, take Kunti's opinion too." advised Parshurama.

" Ji gurudev." said Karna, a grateful tone in his voice.

" Aur, I believe Bhishma want's you take your responsibility as the Yuvraja, and later the Maharaja." said Parshurama, a bit slowly, trying not to freak Karna out.

" Kya? Why me? Yuddhisthir would be better!" said Karna, his eyes wide.

" Perhaps! But you are the eldest among your brothers. Even Maharaja Pandu wanted to see you as the King. They already addressed you as Yuvraja." Explained Parshurama.

" Kya? But..but the praja would prefer Yuddhisthir, he is the Dharma raja." said Karna, in a hysterical tone.

"You think so? Today's Kala Pradarshan was in a way two fold. It allowed the people of the Hastinapur to see that the Yuvraja is able, while it also served the purpose of finding you. Bhishma made sure the people would react positively. Do you really think after seeing your Kavach and capabilities, they would be unhappy with you as king? The case will be opposite, Putra!" said Parshurama, slowly and calmly.

Karna gulped. He knew politics, very well.

" Pitamaha played well." admitted Karna grudgingly. Parshurama laughed.

" Haa, that he did. Don't step back, only because you are unsure and afraid. I am sure your brothers would be right beside you." said Parshurama. He wanted to take his responsibilities, but he wont force him. He knew his student will come to the same conclusion himself.

" Dhanyavad Gurudev! You have always guided me when I needed you too." said Karna.

" I am your teacher, it is my duty to do so. I should leave now, the ashram had been left unattended for too long." said Parshurama, grumbling.

Karna nodded.

He watched as his Gurudev left, a soft smile on his face. Advika walked the well-worn path. She had found another hiding spot within the forest. A spot that Karna had no idea about.

She took a seat in front of the beautiful view. Her gaze lost and her face had a small smile as she remembered the day.

The day had gone well. Karna had met his biological family and she was happy for him. Advika had left the palace, because she was feeling suffocated. When Kunti was telling the five princes, Mahamahim, Maharaja and Maharani and Mahamantri about Karna's past, she had left. Another reason, was that she wanted to leave before Karna came back. Otherwise, he would ask a thousand questions and catch her lie.

She felt a surge of unhappiness within her. She remembered how her family had rejected her. Only her mother Aaratrika kept contact with her.

When she was called jiji, she had been shocked, but for an entirely different reason than the one she gave the five brothers. Not that the reason, she gave them was a lie. It was the truth too. Just..she had never seen her brother, her little brother after she had come back. Her mother said that the family has forbidden him to seek her out, even though he wanted to meet her. They have been passing letters to each other though. But..that was not enough.

Today's day had made her remember him more. The day gained her a new mother and five younger brothers, but she missed her little brother.

She felt a tear slip from her eyes, at that thought.

" Itna bhi maat soccho, dimak ka dahi baan jayga! " said a soft and melodious voice, from behind her.