Beyond, With a Yokai

Chapter 11: Fragile Trust

The kitchen was modest but lived-in: carved cupboards lined with dishes, open shelves filled with jars of jam and spices. Against the wall stood a stove, flanked by wooden spoons and handmade pot holders. The place oozed coziness—but the tension in the air remained thick.

We settled in—some took chairs, others the windowsill, and someone chose to stand against the wall. Yesenia kept a close eye on everyone, her gaze flicking from face to face before landing on Margaret. She seemed to be silently trying to figure out who this stranger was.

Margaret, for her part, didn't take her wary eyes off the fox. She looked like she was ready to either defend herself or bolt at the slightest hint of danger.

"Margaret," I said, nodding toward her. "She's part of my clan. We met three centuries ago, back when I first became a bakeneko. She's the one who brought me into the group, who saved me."

"Back then, I was lost. I didn't know how to live, didn't know what to do. I couldn't go to your parents—they were terrified of bakeneko, and regular cats were being constantly checked for the 'virus.' Life on the streets was brutal. It's hard enough being a stray, let alone a lone bakeneko. I ran from humans more times than I can count. I didn't understand why I couldn't just die like a normal cat. Why I became... this cursed thing."

"Just when I was getting used to that lonely, hunted life—everything repeated. I was ready to give up. I nearly walked straight into an arrow. I was exhausted. But then Margaret found me. She became my sister. She brought me into her clan."

"When I found Yesenia, I was so consumed by the thought of finally reuniting with her, I didn't tell anyone. I was afraid I'd mess it up. That's why the clan started looking for me."

"Margaret didn't come here with bad intentions—she's only here because of me. I trust her more than I trust myself. And if there's any chance... I ask you to give her the benefit of the doubt too."

"I trust you, Aki," Yesenia said without hesitation. "If you say she's safe, that's enough for me."

The fox said nothing, but that silence was enough.

"So," I continued, nodding toward the girl, "this is Yesenia. The one I told you about. She used to be called Sakura."

Margaret stared at us, completely stunned, clearly struggling to grasp what she was hearing.

"Wait, what? You're telling me this is the girl who died three hundred years ago?"

"Yes! I felt her energy—I couldn't have been mistaken."

"Aki, that sounds insane. How can a human live that long?"

"They can't. She was reincarnated."

Margaret fell silent, her mind clearly racing. The skepticism was plain in her eyes—and I couldn't blame her. I didn't expect her to take it all at face value. So instead of pushing her, I calmly began to explain how Yesenia ended up here, hoping she'd see the truth for herself.

"Fine, let's say I believe you," she finally said with a frown. "But why is the Ripper with you? Why would he help you?"

"I have my reasons, and they're none of your business, Red," the fox snapped.

"And what if he's lying? What if he just kills Aki and devours the girl's soul?" Her voice trembled with anxiety mixed with distrust.

"He won't harm me," Senya said firmly.

Her confidence immediately caught the fox's attention. He looked at her, visibly surprised.

"You're all so naïve," Margaret hissed, as if the very words burned her mouth. "How can you trust a nogitsune? Especially a Ripper?"