Ikuko was not sure what to expect from her first child, Usagi. Sure, she had spoken to her own mother and read what parenting books she could find, but none of that truly prepared someone to be a mother. So, she was not prepared for Usagi's first moons.
The first phase of the moon Usagi experienced in her life was a full moon. Ikuko had woken from a rare sleep to hear giggling from Usagi's crib. She got up and saw Usagi lying in the crib, basking in a moonbeam. She giggled even more as she moved her little hands as if trying to grasp the light. Ikuko was even more shocked a few weeks later when the moon was new.
She had wondered if Usagi would wake her giggling again, instead the moment the sun set and the moon didn't appear, Usagi had gone quiet. Too quiet. She had rushed to the crib to find her daughter completely unconscious. She could tell Usagi was still alive, as her chest was rising and falling. Since her daughter seemed fine, she had gone back to bed.
She woke before the sun rose, having slept all night. Usagi continued to sleep until the sun peeked over the horizon. Ikuko convinced herself that she imagined the sigh of relief from her daughter as she woke.
Ikuko was even more surprised when Shingo did none of these things. She was so blindsided, as for so long she had been taking care of a baby that had a very strict schedule tied to the phases of the moon.
"Before Shingo was born," She joked to her husband. "Had you told me that your family were Werewolves, I would have believed you."
Kenji had laughed. "I was going to ask if your ancestors were priestesses of that Greek moon goddess. What was her name, Selene?"
As he finished saying that name, Usagi suddenly burst into inconsolable tears. They tried their best, but Usagi would not calm down.
They were careful to never mention Selene again in front of their daughter.
*Sailor-Moon*
When Usagi was able to walk, she would sneak out each night under the full moon and dance. Ikuko would watch her from the windows, making sure she was safe. She had considering trying to stop her daughter from doing this, but Usagi seemed so energetic and lively in the moonlight, while she was so sleepy and lazy in the light of the sun. She did love seeing her daughter so happy.
Uagi's loss of live during the new moon was improving, now she just simply slept the entire moonless nights and Ikuko welcomed that while Shingo was getting fussy.
As she watched, Usagi ended her dance, hand held up longingly to the moon. She wondered if Usagi would become an astronaut one day and travel to the moon. If that was the path her child wanted, she would see it done.
*Sailor-Moon*
When Sailor Moon appeared, Ikuko tried to deny the fact. Usagi had always been so connected to the moon. There was no one else she could see as the Pretty Guardian, especially given her appearance. Ikuko tried to be supportive, but she also wanted Usagi to feel independent. Besides, if she was keeping it a secret, it made sense that there was a reason for it. So Ikuko allowed her daughter to disappear most nights into the moonlight, hoping her guardian celestial body would protect her child.
*Sailor-Moon*
Ikuko was not surprised when Usagi was married at midnight under a full moon. Her daughter, the new Queen of the Moon Kingdom, Silver Millinum, could not imagine not having her silver companion hanging in the sky when she said her vows to Mamoru. She was not surprised that he had insisted as well, saying Usagi always looked her best when clad in Moonlight.
Ikuko had expected her daughter to be upset at this but Usagi had taken it as a complment, which made sense when you realized that Usagi and the Moon were one and the same.
During the reception, Kenji approached and handed her a flute of champagne. "It's been a weird life, hasn't it, my dear? Who knew our little blonde girl was an immortal alien princess?"
Ikuko giggled, much as Usagi had in her first full moon. "Yes. But I could not imagine another life or a better family."
Kenji smiled and took her hand. "Me either, dear."
They watched as Usagi and Mamoru were formally crowned as Serenity and Endimoyn. They clapped the loudest out of anyone in the crowd.