Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 3: Enemy and Ally

It was like the field was studying her. Learning her fears. Reflecting her helplessness.

Yesenia pushed forward, eyes downcast, determined not to see his face again—the one that now stirred nothing but rage inside her.

But no matter how far she ran, one thing was painfully clear: there was no escape.

She was so lost in the thought that she didn't notice the figure ahead—until she slammed straight into someone's chest.

Startled, she jerked her head up—and froze.

It wasn't him.

The fox could shift forms, sure. He had already impersonated her mother, so it wasn't impossible he'd do it again. But...

"Who are you?" she asked warily.

"Don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you," the boy said calmly, even gently. His voice carried none of the mocking bite she'd come to expect from the fox. Whoever this was—he was someone else entirely.

She took a step back, eyeing him carefully.

"Hey, uh... you...—" she began, instinctively searching for something to call the fox, but realized she didn't even know his real name.

Funny. Just a few minutes ago, she wanted to strangle him. Now she was reaching for his presence like a lifeline.

But the boy cut her off, grabbing her forearm and covering her mouth with his hand.

"After everything he's done to you, you're still calling for him? Are you a masochist or what? I'm trying to help you."

Help?

She froze, and he let go, letting her speak.

"You... can help me get out of here?"

His fingers still gripped her wrist, like he was afraid she'd bolt.

"Well, unless you need a different kind of help..."

"No! That's the only kind I need."

At that, he smiled and let go, stepping back a little.

He looked young—sixteen at most. About her height, with wild ginger hair sticking out in every direction. Freckles dusted his nose and cheeks, giving him a boyish charm, but his eyes were sharp—too sharp to be innocent.

"But you want something in return," she said flatly.

"Well, obviously. Deal?" he said with a cheeky grin, holding out a hand.

"Is that a joke, or do I really look that dumb to you?" she snapped. "You haven't even told me what you want. What if I can't give it?"

"If I'm asking," he said confidently, "then I know you can."

"And what exactly are you asking for?"

"We're after the same thing."

She narrowed her eyes. This guy really thought he could just show up, offer help, and she'd instantly trust him?

"I don't trust anything in this world," she said. "Who are you really? What do you want?"

A question she'd asked at least twenty times since she arrived—and it still hadn't gotten old.

"You said it yourself," he shrugged. "I'm a creature of this world. A yokai."

This guy was playing with her nerves now.

"You think this is funny? Say something real or I'm calling the crazy fox," she threatened. It was risky—she didn't know what this new stranger was capable of—but she wasn't about to trust him blindly either.

"No, no! Don't call him!" he waved his hands frantically, clearly alarmed. "Okay, okay, I'll tell you!"

He stepped back again, showing his hands like he meant no harm.

"I'm a Myōbu. One of the eight fox spirits who serve the goddess Inari. Name's Tsuyoshi. And I'm... a hired killer."

"A what?"

The word echoed in her skull like a gunshot. Her pulse spiked.

A killer?

She stared at his face, trying to see it—the malice, the darkness—but found only that same crooked, innocent smile.

"Relax," Tsuyoshi said, as casually as if he were talking about the weather. "I only go after bad people and yokai. The ones my goddess deems unworthy."

He let his words hang in the air, letting them settle in.

Then came the catch.

"I'll help you get out of here... if you help me kill the nogitsune."

His gaze darkened, his voice dropping.

"...Who?"

"The nogitsune," he repeated, raising an eyebrow. "The fox that's been toying with you."