This story is set in the R season, directly after the Doom Tree series but before Chibi-Usa arrives with that whole messy breakup plot.

Rated PG.

Summary: Usagi contemplates her relationship with Mamoru, and wonders. Even destined soul mates have their doubts sometimes…

"Yes"
by Stormlight

Usagi allowed her eyes to slip closed as she listened to the gentle lapping of the waves against the boat, resting her head on her arm and letting the fingers of her free hand dangle into the water. She flicked them playfully when a carp took a curious nibble, startling the fish back into the depths of the lake with a bright flash of red and white scales. The setting sun cast a glimmering trail across the tranquil surface, turning the water to liquid gold. Sighing contentedly, she peeked from between long lashes to let her gaze rest upon the handsome face of her companion, Chiba Mamoru. Her worst enemy and the greatest love of her life.

Maybe it was a contradiction in terms, but it certainly did fit their relationship, she mused as she admired his sun-lit profile, watched him turn the page of the physics book he was reading. She wrinkled her nose; always the bookworm, just like Ami-chan. Even here, on their very first date, he insisted on studying for the exam coming up in two days, oblivious to the world around him. It was fine with her, because that was just how he was, and she loved everything about him. Even his annoying study habits.

Although … at the moment, she had to admit they were becoming slightly more annoying than they were endearing.

Sighing again, she shifted slightly and lifted her hand out of the water, playfully flicking the droplets off her fingers at him. One hit him on the eye, making him blink and glance up in surprise. She grinned and stuck out her tongue, and he smiled back, shaking his head slightly.

"Only one more chapter," he said, regarding her fondly. "After that, I'm all yours, Usako."

She melted; she loved it when he called her Usako. It sure beat his other nickname. Grinning, she turned her attention back to the water, unaware of how his deep cerulean gaze rested on her a moment longer, his expression soft and unguarded in his study. With another smile that spoke of absolute contentment, he turned back to his reading.

Usagi eventually dozed off to the gentle rocking of the boat, the water providing its own soothing lullaby. And as she dozed, she dreamed.

A young couple, laughing and happy as they strolled, a small child skipping between them. The little girl bounced ahead, giggling and turning pirouettes like a ballerina, and Usagi smiled at the sight. The couple moved closer together as the man wrapped an arm around his wife's shoulders. It was obvious they were deeply in love, and Usagi felt a deep tug of longing. Would that be her one day, she wondered as she watched the woman being wrapped in the strong embrace of her beloved. Would she someday be part of a family like that? Would her family be Mamo-chan?

She liked to think so; they were soul mates, after all, and not even death could tear them apart, although it had certainly tried. But she had so many doubts. Doubts that she managed to keep at bay when she was awake, but now, in her dreams, they began to crowd close around her, looming and threatening to drown her in sorrow more oppressive and terrifying than any youma had ever been. You're only a child, they taunted. Immature, weak, clumsy and a coward. Chiba Mamoru is too good for you. You know it! You know the only reason he's with you is because you're the reincarnation of his princess! It is shewhom he truly loves.

"That's not true!" Usagi wailed, cowering beneath the shadows the heavy thoughts cast over her. "He loves me, not her. He loves me for myself!"

Does he? the voices mocked. When did he fall in love? When did he ever profess such love for you, before he discovered who you were? When did he ever say, "I love Tsukino Usagi"?

She remained silent and stricken, because she had no answer.

She woke with a start, eyes snapping open to gaze blindly into the water. The arm her head rested on was wet, and her cheeks felt cool and damp. Tears, she realized, hastily scrubbing at her eyes before Mamoru noticed. She really was a crybaby, wasn't she? Luckily, she hadn't been sleeping long, and he was still absorbed in his studies.

She gazed at him intently, studying his face as though to discern the answers her heart sought in his very features. What did he see in her, anyway? The princess was elegant, graceful, and mature. Everything a princess was supposed to be. But she, Usagi, was nothing of the sort. She had very little in common with her past self, and even less with Mamoru. He loved to study, while she detested anything related to schoolwork. He was quiet and serious and smart, and she was … well … she wasn't.

Mamoru seemed to sense her gaze; he suddenly glanced up and met her eyes. His own immediately widened, startled at the sight of her tear-stained face, and as he sat up the book fell from his lap into the bottom of the boat, forgotten. "Usako, what's the matter?" he asked in concern, moving to sit beside her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gently held her, smoothing her hair. "Shhh. Shhh, it's okay. Don't cry," he soothed. "Are you having a horrible time? I'm sorry. I didn't realize—"

"Idiot. That's not it," she sniffled, smiling a little despite herself. "I was just … dreaming, I guess. That's all. Don't worry, I'm fine."

He appeared unconvinced. "It must have been a pretty sad dream, to bring tears to your eyes," he replied softly. "Can you tell me what's wrong? How can I help?"

She hesitated, suddenly torn between throwing herself against him and pouring out her heart, or running as far from him as possible to protect it. Even if she doubted his love for her, she did not doubt her own love for him. She had loved him long before she'd discovered he was her hero, Tuxedo Kamen-sama, or her long-lost Prince Endymion. She had loved him almost from the day she'd met him, and knew it would kill her if she discovered he'd never really loved her back.

"Usa?" Mamoru prodded, clearly wanting her to talk to him.

She shivered slightly and closed her eyes. But … maybe the not knowing was even worse, she thought sadly. How could she refuse him, anyway, when he looked at her like that? She took a deep breath, released it slowly. "Our relationship has been strange from the very beginning, hasn't it, Mamo-chan?" she asked softly, leaning her head against his shoulder and letting her fingers twine with his.

"How do you mean?" His voice betrayed his uncertainty; strangely, it gave her more courage.

"Well, we used to hate each other, for one thing." She let the ghost of a smile cross her face. "You always called me names, I always got mad at you for it, and I would've bet anything that we'd end up killing each other before actually falling in love. It's just hard to believe that two completely different people could be destined for each other."

"Well, they do say opposites attract." Mamoru gave her shoulders a light squeeze. "And I admit I'm pretty attracted to you," he teased, attempting to lighten the mood.

She smiled weakly, but it slipped away again. "But what part of me are you attracted to, Mamo-chan?" she asked seriously.

"What? I don't understand what you—" He stopped, because, suddenly, he did understand.

"What part of me," she repeated softly, "are you attracted to? Is it Princess Serenity? You've always claimed to love her, and I know she loved Prince Endymion dearly." She paused and swallowed around the growing lump in her throat; he remained silent. "But I'm not Serenity anymore, Mamo-chan, and you're not Endymion. I'm Tsukino Usagi, and I'm not in love with the prince. I'm in love with you, and I always have been, way before the princess or her prince showed up."

He regarded her steadily, his expression still. Even his eyes were shaded. "So what is the problem?" he whispered.

She drew in a shuddering breath. "It's just, up until then, you seemed to really hate me. It felt like everything I did disgusted you, or made you angry, or irritated you, and I never tried very hard to change your mind about me. I just made myself believe we hated each other, and that was that. But then… Oh, everything happened all at once! It's still so confusing!"

She laughed a little, through the tears that once again flooded her eyes. "First, I found out about your life, growing up alone. All of a sudden, I was seeing you in a whole new light, and for the first time I started to think you aren't just the rude jerk I always told myself you were."

He tried to speak, but she didn't give him the chance. "Then I discovered you were Tuxedo Kamen-sama," she pressed on, "and even though I was surprised, I was also glad it was you. And then came the battle with Zoisite, and the princess was revealed and all her memories were restored, and I discovered that you were really my soul mate, all along. And I thought for sure things would change between us then! But, I'd barely gotten you back again before Beryl took you, and for awhile, it was worse than ever."

"But you healed me in the end. You restored me to myself," he reminded her softly.

"Yes," she replied, "and then we died. And we forgot each other. And when Luna gave me back my memories, it was so hard to watch you go on without yours. Prince Endymion didn't remember his princess anymore. And Chiba Mamoru hated Tsukino Usagi, just like before."

"I never hated you, Usako," Mamoru whispered. "You had to have known that."

"I did." She raised beseeching eyes to his. "But, Mamoru, before everything happened … did you ever truly love me?"

The boat rocked slightly as Mamoru shifted his weight from his seat to kneel before her, cupping her face gently in his big hands to gaze into her eyes, his own filled with warmth and passion as he lowered his head to tenderly kiss each small tear from her face. Soft lips trailed over her flushed cheeks, her closed eyelids. His arms slipped around her, gently cradling her as though she was the most fragile treasure. And for a moment, she thought she might indeed break from the strength of the love she held for this man.

Then he lifted his head, and before she could say a word he captured her mouth in a kiss that set fire raging through her blood. He had never kissed her like this before, with so much heat, so much feeling. She was overwhelmed by the force of it. It was a good thing she was sitting down, because she surely would have fallen overboard.

But he hasn't answeredyour question, a tiny voice nagged, as doubt tried yet again to creep its way into her heart.

As though sensing this, Mamoru finally drew away, and she found herself lost in his deep, soulful gaze. His eyes glittered, too, filled with unshed tears as his lips moved to form a single word.

"Yes."

For the first time fully accepting the love one lonely man could hold for one childish young woman, Usagi finally banished all doubt from her heart, for that single word was the only truth she needed.

Finis