****Disclaimer!!! Sailor Moon and all her friends aren't mine! The characters that are not originally from the SM universe are mine, but that's not many. ****

Author's note: Please read and review! Thanks!!

~ Sailor Moon Longings - Part 5~

"Sailor Moon, come in Sailor Moon" Ami's voice rang as Usagi stared at the communicator she held in her hand. Her mind wrestled with her thoughts. Part of her wanted to let them know she was all right but the other part of her wanted nothing to do with them, not right now.

Usagi sighed as she keyed the button; they at least had the right to know that she was safe.

"This is Sailor Moon," She said half-heartedly. She knew from the sound of cheers from the other end that everyone was there, including Mamoru.

"Usagi?! Are you alright?" Minako's voice filtered over the comm. Usagi gave a halfhearted smile.

"Yes I am fine," She replied, half wishing now that she had just ignored them and her communicator.

"Where are you?" It was now Raye's voice that came over the link. Usagi frowned; she was not going to tell them where she was. That was a promise she made to herself when she first arrived back on the Moon.

"I am safe," Usagi replied.

"Safe? But where?" Makoto broke in. Usagi shook her head.

"Just know that I am safe," Usagi replied, they would just have to know that she was safe.

"Usagi?"

Usagi shivered slightly at the sound of Mamoru's voice. She really wasn't ready to speak with him yet. "Mamoru"

"Usagi when are you coming home?" He asked, his voice full of question and longing. Usagi's bottom lip started to quiver slightly as she fought back the tears. She wanted so much to race into his arms and feel protected by him. She wanted so much to tell him everything. To tell him that everything was going to be just fine. But she couldn't bring herself to answer him, to tell him when she was coming home. She couldn't bring herself to tell him anything.

"Usagi?" His voice rang over the com again.

"I can't," She said as she clicked off her communicator, pressing it lightly to her forehead, justifying her decision.

~*~*~*~

Mamoru stared at the now dead communicator. He tried several other times to try and reach her again, with no such luck. He sighed as he felt his heart ache. There was something she wasn't telling him and it pained him that even now they had secrets. They had fought so hard before to over come them. But now...he wasn't sure.

"Mamoru?" Ami's voice interrupted his thoughts, he gave a weak smile and tossed the communicator on the coffee table, climbing to his feet and crossing the room to stand before the window. He watched, silent for a moment the people on the street below carrying about their business.

Ami and the rest sat and stared as Mamoru stood before the large window, each alone with their own thoughts and confused feelings. Neither knew what to say.

"Well at least we know she is safe," Mamoru finally said, his voice bland and slightly harsh, his body motionless as he continued to stare at the window.

Ami and Minako glanced at each other before shifting their glances. Minako stared into the cup she held in her lap, Ami stared at Mamoru, her heart saddened for him. Raye, too, continued to watch Mamoru, Makoto glancing down at Artemis, who too had nothing to say.

~*~*~*~*~

Usagi wiped at the tears that had begun to stream down her cheeks. She very much hated the fact that she was keeping something this huge from her closest friends. They weren't just her friends, they were her family. But as much as it pained her to keep this from them, she couldn't bring herself to tell them. She rubbed the back of her hand across her eyes, catching what remained of the tears. She thrust her communicator back into the saddlebag and climbed back onto Alia's back, eager to return home.

The ride home was a somber one as Alia and Usagi trotted up the path towards the stables. Ana, the princess' lady in waiting, raced down the steps of the castle at the site of her returning Princess.

Usagi climbed down slowly and leaned her head against the horse's silky coat.

"Milady?" Ana called as she neared the princess. Usagi turned her head, still leaning against the horse, tears smearing her cheeks. Ana sighed as she drew closer to Usagi. The princess had grown so much since she had become aware of who she was. Ana, at times, felt as if Usagi was like a younger sister in need of guidance then her Lady.

"Mika, the horse please!" Ana called out to the near by stable hand. A strapping young lad quickly took hold of the reins and lead Alia inside to brush her down. Ana smiled sweetly as she wrapped an arm about Usagi's waist, allowing the princess to rest her head on Ana's shoulder, lead the girl inside and to her room. Silently, Ana too wished that Queen Serenity were here, the young maiden was in need of the great Queen's guidance.