Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 7: A Spark in a Blink

"Then I'll just make him a bed myself. I think I've still got enough strength for that," the fox muttered, already raising his hand to summon magic.

"Tomoya!" Yesenia snapped.

He looked at her, surprised.

"Don't you dare waste energy on that," her voice was firm, though a note of embarrassment slipped in. "Not after I... helped with your wound."

The last part came out awkwardly. Even thinking about what had happened was excruciatingly uncomfortable.

Tomoya went silent.

It seemed her words had gotten through to him.

He pressed his lips together but said nothing more. With a huff, he turned away and lay back down.

Finally, she could sleep.

But even as the room fell silent and the others' breathing grew steady, Yesenia lay wide awake, heart still pounding in her chest.

When sleep finally softened her senses, she felt something she hadn't in a long time — real comfort and safety. No nightmares chased her mind, her body fully relaxed, as if wrapped in a soft cloud. Her sleep was light and soothing, like gentle waves rocking her, and the cool air no longer felt unpleasant. It was strange, given everything happening lately. But for now, she let herself rest.

When she woke, she heard Tomoya's quiet voice: "The wound's healing, but not completely."

The bakeneko stretched lazily and yawned. "Then you need moon balm."

Tomoya frowned, his brow twitching slightly. "I can't go to the market right now. And the only vendor who has it hates bakeneko."

The cat snorted. "He'll sell it to Yesenia."

The fox flared up. "You want to put her in danger by parading her in front of the yokai?!"

"Unlike you, I'd never put her at risk!" the cat growled. "You're the one endangering her by keeping her in the astral plane!"

"I didn't keep her here."

"But you didn't help her leave either," the bakeneko's voice held quiet reproach.

Tomoya said nothing. He knew the cat was right.

The bakeneko's tone softened. "I'll mask her energy. No one will know she's a lost soul."

The fox glanced at Yesenia. "What do you think?"

"I want to help you. We'll get the balm," she replied firmly.

Tomoya reluctantly handed her a small pouch of gold coins.

"This should be enough."

The landscape around them resembled a lifeless dream. A gray, endless space stretched out before them, shrouded in a ghostly wind. Twisted trees reached upward like gnarled hands, longing to snatch up an unsuspecting traveler. The bushes rustled, as if whispering among themselves, but not a single soul was in sight. Darkness reigned here—not oppressive, but thick and sticky, like heavy fog.

But the moment they stepped across an invisible threshold, an entirely different scene opened up before their eyes.

The market was loud and bustling, filled with the sounds of voices and the scents of food. The oppressive grayness vanished; the air became crisp and alive. Rows of colorful tents stretched into a labyrinth, where one could find anything—from exotic spices to rare artifacts.

"We have less than half an hour," the bakeneko warned. "I won't be able to mask your energy much longer. And whatever happens, don't take off your hood."