The Birth of Pain

Disclaimer: See Prologue.

A/N: Hurray, another chapter! And several notes. At this point in the story Auron and Leyla have been an "item" for nearly a year, making them 18. Braska and his wife are in their early 20's and Yuna has been in the womb 3 months.

I've always had a theory, which I applied here, that Braska's wife's name was Rikku. The FFX Rikku was born after Braska's wife died and Cid never struck me as one for tact, thus I can see him having no inhibitions about naming his daughter in remembrance of his dead sister. I apologize for any confusion.

One final note (though it seems largely unneccessary thanks to the wonderful reviews I have been receiving). When I first started this fic I had no idea how much character creation it would entail. We know virtually nothing about Braska's wife and of course Paine had a mother. I would just like to clarify that Rikku and Leyla are in no way representations of myself (ie, they're not Mary Sues) they are means to an end, not an end in themselves. I love Auron but in my day dreams if he's in love with someone its me, not some fantasized version of myself .

The translations for the Al Bhed used in this chapter are at the bottom.

"You did what?!"

"Rikku and I eloped," Braska repeated with infuriating calm.

"You mean to say that you ran off with the sister of the man who is, for all practical purposes, the heir to the Al Bhed throne?!" Auron nearly screamed, it was all he could do to keep from shaking the older man.

"You mean Cid? He wishes," the woman in question snorted with only a trace of Al Bhed accent.

"Lord Braska, do you understand what you have just done?! All the effort you put into securing ties between Yevon and the Al Bhed-," Auron said. Couldn't Braska see?!

"I think they went quite nicely," Braska smiled, pulling his new wife closer.

"No!" Auron exploded, "Now all you've done is disgrace yourself in the eyes of the Yevon clergy and probably infuriated the Al Bhed! It will be impossible to establish diplomatic ties through either of you now!"

"He may have a point, muja, we did run off in the middle of the night," Rikku said. Auron groaned and covered his eyes. Could this get any worse?

"It was the only way, Auron. After all, there was the child to consider."

Auron froze, unsure of whether or not this was good news, then with another disgusted groan turned to leave the room.

"Was it really so wrong of us, Auron, to want what you and Leyla have?" Braska said reasonably, though if Auron didn't know any better it sounded almost as if he were pleading.

"Leyla and I didn't elope, Lord Braska. Or conceive a child," he said the last bit in an undertone, "And neither of us have the diplomatic ties of our separate nations riding on our decision."

Braska's voice turned cold, "Perhaps it was a mistake expecting you to understand, Auron. I don't know why I'm trying to justify myself to you," he inclined his head slightly, as if bidding farewell to, well, a warrior-monk, not his best friend. Auron felt a sudden wash of guilt and turned suddenly. Who was he to judge them? They had known the consequences of their actions, known that once they consummated their union all hands in Spira, both Yevonite and Al Bhed would be against them. Braska and Rikku had come to him, newly wed and soon to have their first child and Auron had blown up at them over politics.

"Lord Braska..." he began, "Braska, I... I'm sorry. If Leyla were here she would probably curse me for being such a jackass," was that the faintest trace of a smile he saw on Braska's lips? Surely Rikku was openly grinning.

"You bet she would!" Rikku laughed. "Oh, stop it, Braska, Auron's your best friend and Leyla hasn't heard the news yet! Let's see who blows up loudest!" Braska retained his stern visage a moment longer but before it could break fully into a helpless smile Auron clapped him in the shoulder and pulled him into a quick hug.

"Congratulations, Braska, may you have many happy years together. All three of you."

"There's hope for you yet, Auron, now if we could just make the lack of title permanent..."

"You know what Commander Ralleth would do to me if he caught me calling a priest of Yevon any less than 'my Lord', my Lord," Auron said, only half joking.

Braska shuddered theatrically, "Perish the thought. You know, one of these days I'm going to have to have a long talk with this 'Commander Ralleth', of yours."

"Of course, my Lord," Auron said in a tone that clearly stated who would emerge triumphant from that clash of wills. "I'll come around afterwards to pick up the pieces."

"Braska's pieces, obviously," a sardonic voice said and Leyla strode into the room. "If it's between Ralleth and Braska I'd put my gil on—Rikku?!"

"Since when was Rikku part of the match?" Braska muttered to Auron but Leyla wasn't listening.

"Rikku, what are you doing here? In Bevelle of all places!" Leyla said incredulously. Auron went to her side on a hunch that she may need the extra support when Rikku broke the news.

"Would you believe that I came to see the sites?" Rikku winced slightly.

"In the heart of Yevon? Please, if that were the case I'd have to tell Maester Mika to scour the temple for hidden flash bombs. Again."

"Well it was pretty funny," Rikku muttered then said brightly "Actually Leyla, the truth is that Braska and I are going to have a baby."

Auron saw a startled look flash across Braska's face. Obviously he still wasn't use to hearing about his imminent fatherhood.

Leyla laughed until Rikku's uneasy grin made something clicked in her brain. "You're not kidding, are you?" It wasn't a question. Auron tightened his grip on her shoulders, a little unsure of what would happen next.

Braska seemed to feel there was some need for explanation. "We eloped," he said simply.

"But what about-?"

"We knew what we were getting ourselves into," Braska said, shooting a mild look of reproof over Leyla's shoulder at Auron.

"But-," she looked over her shoulder helplessly at Auron who only shrugged helplessly back.

"Err, speaking of which, when are you two planning on getting hitched?" Rikku said, effectively changing the subject as both Leyla and Auron jumped, though Leyla's face did not contain the same level of cornered shock as Auron's.

"We...hadn't planned on that just yet," Leyla said.

"Shame on you, Auron!" Rikku admonished, "You had better ask her soon, I know a bunch Al Bhed men who I'm sure Leyla could have like that," she said and snapped her fingers.

"Yes, my lady," Auron muttered, his eyes downcast but flickering about the room in search of an exit.

"Oh, oui'na esbuccepma!" Rikku exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air in exasperation.

"Umm, my lord," a timid voice called from the doorway. They all looked to see a young acolyte in a green dress with light brown hair pulled into buns on either side of her head peeking into the room uncertainly.

"Yes, Belgemine," Braska said warmly, "What is it?"

"The maesters request your presence, my lord. Actually, they demand it," her eyes widened when they landed on Rikku. "Its about her, your new lady-wife, my lord."

Braska's mouth set to a thin line, "I'll be with them immediately, Belgemine. Your may return to your duties. Rikku, stay here with Leyla and Auron."

"No, I'm going with you," she with an air of finality.

Braska looked like he was about to protest but then smile brightened his face and he took her hand. "We're in this together," she said. Leyla and Auron exchanged worried glances but there was nothing they could do as their friends left to face the wrath of Yevon.

Muja... Love

Oui'na esbuccepma! ... You're impossible!

A/N: Thank you so much to all my reviewers! You are the sole reason that I have the will to write so please, keep the fire going by leaving a review. It need not be long, even the shortest review can have me on Cloud 9 for days (and Cloud 9 means Warp 9 in writing!)