Sureiyazu

Episode 50: Netsu

"Today we set out again," said Aya. "Back to the castle."

The team had just stepped out onto the dirt road that they would have to take to get back to the Sureiyazu castle, another week from where they were now. 

"Do you ever do anything interesting ever?" Shinrin groaned. "It was days to get here for half a minute of fighting. I didn't even get to show off."

"Next time, Shinrin," Aya said. 

"Ugh," Shinrin sighed. 

"I have to admit, I'm happy to be leaving Kinrenka," said Kasai. 

"Me too," Hachirou agreed. "I don't care what you say - them being happy all the time was freaking me out."

"Hey . . ." Yuri said. 

Hachirou suddenly realized how bad that had sounded. "Er . . . I just . . . I thought it was weird. You know, for a whole city to always be happy. I'm . . . uh . . . used to it from you."

"Oh, fine," Yuri smiled. "I wasn't really offended anyway. I just felt like I should be." 

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Heishi said. "Oof!" 

Shinrin had suddenly stopped walking, and Heishi, behind her, had crashed into her. She just stood there, and for the first time since anyone had met her, her eyes simply widened and her expression was blank. 

"Shinrin?" Aya said slowly. "What is it?"

Shinrin shivered. "One of the other Seven is nearby." 

"Where?" Aya asked. 

"You don't really want to know," Shinrin shook her head. "He's not someone you want to have in your service."

"But where?" Aya repeated. 

Shinrin crossed her arms. "I'm not telling."

"Isn't that a little uncalled for?" a new voice asked. Suddenly, where there hadn't been anything before, stood a young man in bright orange robes. 

Aya stifled a gasp. 

"Shinrin and I share the same distaste for formality," he said, "so I'd gladly spare you if I wouldn't cease to exist. I am Netsu, one of the Seven of Power, and I am representative of light, heat, and fire." 

"That sounds awesome!" said Kasai. 

Netsu was momentarily flustered. "Uh . . . yeah, sure." 

"You're not here for nothing," Shinrin guessed. 

"No," he agreed. "I'm not. I was interested in what kind of Summoner you'd gotten yourself bound to this time - you know, if she's really any good." 

"I'm right here," Aya said. 

"I've been through a thousand Summoners," said Netsu. "I could blink and you'd have already died of old age." 

"Long blink," Kasai noted. 

"So? Now you see," said Shinrin. 

"You realize this is the girl who tried to Summon Mizu those years ago?" Netsu asked. "Oh, forget it. More action." 

Shinrin scoffed. "I'm offended. Of course I know. People make mistakes sometimes, just like we do." 

"Uh . . . mistakes?" Netsu laughed. "Shinrin -"

"This is why I go away so much," said Shinrin. "You all are annoying. Let's go, Aya." 

"But -" Aya began.