Hidden to Detected

Prologue - And It Begins

Ikuko's POV

"Mama! I'm going to Mako-chan's place for a study session today! Ja ne," yelled Usagi before slamming the door shut.

'There she goes again' Ikuko thought.

Ikuko sighs and turns back to washing the dishes. Lately she has noticed her daughter has been distancing herself from their family. She's noticed that Usagi has been spending more and more tine with her friends than with them, her family. It has been nagging at her for weeks now having her wonder what she could be doing that requires so much time away from us.

Then there was the other thing that bothers her more than Usagi's distance.

Ikuko remembered the first time she saw it. The black and purple bruise on Usagi's right arm. She questioned Usagi where she got it from and, with a knot of dread in her stomach, if anyone was hurting her.

'I vividly remember her saying she had tripped and hit her elbow agaisnt the corner of a desk at school' Ikuko thought worriedly.

She never did answer the second question.

It didn't help that she felt her daughter was hiding something from not responding to the second question.

She usually would console herself saying she was just being a paranoid parent whose little girl was growing up.

Yet that didn't stop her stomach from churning is apprehension nor her mother instincts from kicking in. Her mother instincts are always nagging at her that there is more at play that she doesn't know. This only serves to make her more worried and question if she should ask Usagi.

She stood there with her glazed eyes looking out the kitchen window yet starring at nothing.

'I wonder what it could be that requires her to keep it from me. Is it bad? Could it possibly be good? What if she is doing something dangerous? What if she is being forced to do something against her will? Oh God, what if...'

Ikuko would have continued with this thought if it wasn't for her husband, Kenji, coming home and announcing himself. Ikuko jumped in surprise and turned to face her husband in confusion.

"Honey, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be at work right now?"

Kenji looked at her in concern and amusement. He wrapped his arms around her in a loving embrace and sweetly kissed her forehead. Kenji took a step back and gazed lovingly at her.

Kenji, teasing his wife, said,"Have you been thinking for all this time? It's half past two in the afternoon already."

Ikuko only looked at him in shock. Her mind just started to register the ache and burn coming from her feet. It was a familiar ache, an ache she knew she only got from standing on her feet for too long. Ikuko looked at the clock and remembered it was twelve the last time she checked.

"Sorry honey. I guess I lost track of time thinking about Usa..."

Ikuko trailed off, unsure if she should tell her husband about her worries yet.

Kenji's teasing smiled morphed into a concern frown as he looked at her eyes.

"What's wrong? Did something happen to Usagi or Shingo? What were you thinking about?"

Ikuko's eyes widened as she gently guided her husband to the couch in the living room and clarified what she said.

"No no no. Don't worry, everything is fine. Shingo and Usagi are safe and no one is hurt."

"Are you sure that both of them are okay? Why were you going to say 'Usagi'?"

Ikuko avoided her husband's eyes, not knowing how to word her thoughts.

"I-it's complicated Kenji. I-I don't know how to explain what I was thinking about."

Kenji kissed his fretting wife, pouring all the love he felt for her in that kiss.

"Love it's okay. You don't have to tell me right now if you don't want to. All I needed to know was that Usagi and Shingo are safe and they are. Right now that's enough."

"Arigatou, honey. I just need time to make sure I'm right and not jumping to conclusions. I don't want to make you worry and fret over nothing."

Kenji tenderly hugged her body against his. Inside he had a sinking feeling in his stomach. He could only wait and pray his family stayed safe and together.

Ikuko melted against him, thankful for the warmth and security he provided. She knew she could always count on him when she needs him the most.

'I hope I'm wrong. I also needs to think how to prove my theory.'

Ikuko's eyes hardened in resolve. She knew what she had to do.

'It's time for damage control.'