Chapter Twenty
We Belong

Part One
Auron had never been happier to see a place in his life, than he was when their ship docked at Besaid. He could see Yuna on the beach with Wakka and Lulu. They were smiling, but they didn't look happy. His brow furrowed.

They were headed toward the dock. Auron immediately pushed through the crowd so that he could meet them before they disappeared into the throng of passengers.

"Yuna!" he called.

Yuna's head snapped up at the sound of the familiar voice. Her eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on the unmarked face of Sir Auron. Immediately, tears filled her eyes and her hand flew to her mouth.

"Yuna? What's wrong?" Lulu asked, coming up behind the girl. Yuna could only point.

Lulu followed her gaze and her own red-brown eyes widened in shock. "It can't be . . ."

Yuna didn't even hear the older woman. She began walking quickly in the direction of her former guardian. She couldn't even believe that it was he. He looked so different. He looked as he had looked in the spheres they had seen of Braska's journey. His face was unmarked; his eyes were both open and looking at her imploringly.

When she reached him, she threw herself into his arms. "Sir Auron," she breathed. "What are you doing here?"

Auron laughed softly. "Your father wished to thank me," was all he said.

Yuna's head was resting on Auron's chest. "Your heart!" she squealed. "You're alive!" She began jumping up and down like a little girl, laughing merrily.

Lulu and Wakka hurried up to see what was going on. Auron explained to them what he had told Kimahri. "Please, where is Rikku?"

Everyone looked down. No one wanted to answer him. Finally, Wakka took a deep breath. "Rikku – she's getting married in the morning. In Bikanel," he said.

"Married?" Auron couldn't believe what he was hearing. "To who?"

Lulu shook her head. "Someone her father chose. She was – well, a disgrace to her people, so he is forcing her to get married."

"How is she disgracing anyone?" Auron asked.

"Kimahri didn't tell you?" Yuna asked, smiling at her loyal beast- guardian.

"Kimahri thought Rikku still be here. Kimahri thought Rikku should tell Sir Auron," Kimahri explained.

"Tell Sir Auron what?" Auron was getting impatient.

Yuna sighed. "Rikku's pregnant."

Auron's jaw went slack. "She's – and it's – it's mine?"

Yuna laughed. "Uh, yeah."

"And she's going to marry someone else?" Auron practically roared.

"Not by choice," Lulu said dryly. "We got a letter from her. This man she's to marry – well, he's pretty much a miserable human being according to her. He calls her names, flirts with other girls, basically treats her like dirt."

"Yah, we're goin' to try and get her outta there before she marries the bozo," Wakka supplied. "And now we got you wit' us. Should be easy enough."

Lulu rolled her eyes. "You forget, Wakka. Rikku's father is the leader of the Al Bhed. She's practically royalty. Which means every Al Bhed in Spira will be there. And apparently this Gippal is also from quite a respected family. It may not be quite as simple as you think."

They began boarding the ship that would take them on the first leg of their journey to Bikanel. "I don't give a damn how many Al Bhed are there," Auron said with steely determination. "She's mine. She's carrying my child. She doesn't belong with some jerk who treats who like she's nothing, because she is everything.

"And I swear to the gods, I will kill anyone who tries to get in my way. I came back from the dead for her, and I'm not going to live the rest of my life without her. We belong together."

Part Two
"Are you excited?" Nhadala, a friendly Al Bhed lady asked Rikku the night before her wedding. "That Gippal, he's quite the catch! And so sweet, marrying you, considering . . ."

Rikku glared at the woman. "Considering what?" she asked. "Considering that the man I love died helping to defeat Sin, and I just happen to be pregnant? We would have been married . . ."

"So, who is the father?" Nhadala asked.

Rikku snorted. As if she were going to tell any of these people the secrets of her heart. Only those nearest and dearest to her heart knew what she kept locked inside. She wouldn't betray her love by making it fodder for the public. "I don't think that's any of your business."

"Oh," Nhadala said knowingly. "You don't know."

Rikku wanted to slap her, and she would have, but she had been feeling very weak and tired lately. It was probably due to the fact that she was carrying an extra thirty pounds of weight on her slight frame. It could be any day now, she thought to herself. This baby would be the only thing that saved her. This baby would be the light in an otherwise bleak existence. Because this baby was Auron's . . .

After Nhadala left Rikku in peace, Rikku decided to step out onto her small balcony. She stared up at the stars above the desert and said a silent prayer to the Higher Powers.

"Please . . . Save me."

A/N: Yep, another short one. But sweet! Don't you guys just love over-protective Auron? sigh I am planning on making this last as long as possible, because I just enjoy writing it sooo much! So I hope you enjoyed the three chappies I got posted today -- I don't know if I'll get any more done tonight. I'll try to, though. So review please! Reviews (and the lovely reviewers) are a writer's best friend! Until later, I hope you enjoy:) Rhianna :)