A Sailor Moon Fanfiction: The Pledge of the Sun.

Chapter 162

One late morning, Harusuke had just returned from a run around the neighborhood. It was already starting to get warm, and he was sweaty and tired.

"Geez. Why does it always have to be so hot in the summer?" he complained. "As soon as I get inside, I'm going to take a nice good shower and probably drink a whole gallon of water."

He had just entered the house and headed for the kitchen to get some water when he saw Ikuko. She was busy at work, slicing some watermelon and putting some slices on a plate.

"Oh, Harusuke. You're just in time," said Ikuko. "I had just sliced some watermelon for you and the others. Want one?"

"Sure. I'll take one," said Harusuke.

He then took a slice and started munching, the sweet taste gracing his taste buds. "Wow! This is great," he murmured. "It's the perfect amount of sweet and cold!"

"I know, right? I got it from the store," smiled Ikuko. "They just have gotten a new shipment of watermelon that just went on sale, and I just had to get one. Speaking of which, I take it that Usagi and Chibisa have both gone to see Mamoru again. I heard that he hasn't been feeling well as of late, and it's been a few days since then. I do hope that he's all right. I'm sure whatever bug he's caught must be a nasty one."

Harusuke didn't say a word as he finished his watermelon and got up to leave.

"Perhaps I should send him a little get-well package to help lift his spirits," Ikuko wondered to herself. "Maybe some soup or some tea?"

"I'm sure that Mamoru would be grateful for whatever you send him, Mom," said Harusuke. "It's the thought that counts, right?"

Ikuko then smiled. "You may be right. No need to overthink."

"I'm going to take a cold shower now," Harusuke said. "Thanks for the watermelon, Mom."

Harusuke then left the kitchen, walked up to the restroom, stripped down, and stepped into the shower, turning on the water. The icy water felt chilly, but gradually, he relaxed, letting his body adjust to the temperature.

But as the water rained down on his form, he couldn't help but start thinking about Mamoru. He could still remember how much agony Mamoru looked as he coughed out black blood and how Helios explained that whatever pain the Earth was feeling, Mamoru and himself could feel it, too, due to the mysterious queen of the Dead Moon, Nehelenia.

"I just wish there's something I can do to help ease their pain," Harusuke thought to himself. "Even with my powers as Solais, I feel so helpless. And I'm sure Usagi and Chibiusa are even more worried about him than I am. And what's more, the only cure to the curse is this golden crystal. And we don't even know where that is either. If only we had some sort of clue."

After taking some time in the shower, Harusuke started back to his room. But as he did, he noticed the door to Usagi's room was open a crack. Feeling curious as to how his sister was doing, he carefully peeked inside.

Usagi was napping peacefully on the bed, snoring a bit as she cuddled with her pillow.

Luna then approached. "She and Chibiusa just got back from seeing Mamoru," she reported quietly. "From what I heard, he's still hanging in there, but it seems like he's been getting worse."

"And let me guess, you still don't have any new info about the Golden Crystal, right?" asked Harusuke, his eyes never leaving his sister.

Luna shook her head.

Harusuke sighed. "Well, I figured as much," he said. "But then again, it shouldn't come as no surprise. If the Golden Crystal was that easy to find, we would have found it a long time ago."