Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 7: A Spark in a Blink

Yesenia nodded, pulled the fabric tighter over her head, and followed him.

"May I ask something?" she said.

"I'm listening."

"Why does that merchant hate bakeneko?"

"The exact reason isn't known. Something happened in his past involving one of us. He doesn't talk about it, but his dislike is well known among the yokai."

When they reached the vendor, the cat gave a short greeting.

But the merchant didn't even look at him.

"Get lost, you filthy bakeneko. I've got nothing for you."

"I'm just here with a customer," the bakeneko replied calmly.

The merchant turned his eyes to the girl, who was staring at the ground. His voice... it sounded painfully familiar. Deep, masculine, with velvety undertones that resonated straight to the soul. Yesenia felt her heart tighten. She wanted so badly to look at him, but risking it for mere curiosity was foolish. She pushed down the impulse.

"So, the lady's the one interested in my wares... a kitsune," he said with a smirk. "What is it you're looking to buy?"

Yesenia flinched.

"How... did you know?"

She decided to play along.

"You reek of fox. That kind of scent's hard to hide."

"I need lunar salve."

"An expensive choice."

"Money's not a problem," she said, pulling a hefty pouch from her pocket and tossing it straight into the merchant's hands.

The man chuckled.

"A mysterious stranger with a bag full of money. Hope I'm not being too forward asking your name?"

The cat stepped in, holding back his irritation.

"She's not here to flirt."

"Is that jealousy I smell?" the merchant said with amused mockery.

Yesenia ignored the jab.

"Can I get the salve now?"

She reached out her hand, and their fingers brushed. A subtle shock ran across her skin—like a thousand tiny sparks bursting across her body, leaving behind a wave of warm tingling. The sensation was strange... yet deeply familiar.

She froze. For a brief moment, the world shrank to the single point where they touched. Wind swept into the space, as though the very air wanted to interfere. Playful and abrupt, it caught the edge of her hood—and before she could react, it was yanked away, letting her thick chestnut hair spill down her shoulders.

Yesenia snapped her gaze up—and locked eyes with him.

Green eyes, deep as a well, stared straight into her. Within them swirled curiosity, recognition, and something more dangerous—something that made her heart skip a beat. Time stood still.

He didn't look away. He didn't step back. He simply tilted his head slightly, studying her face with unsettling attention.

Yesenia felt panic engulf her. What was that? Why did this stranger make her feel so strange?

Realizing she had lingered too long, she snatched the ointment and quickly turned away, avoiding his gaze.

"See you soon, my lady," came the velvet voice behind her.

His words clung to her consciousness like a delicate thread that refused to snap.

On the way back, the bakeneko tried to question her.