I'm still feeling happy. The high I got from meeting new people still lingers in my mind, so I decide to go to the village once again. This time, I've settled on just walking from shop to shop without any particular goal.

But first, it is important for me to tend to the Garden. Today it teems with fairies, and I don't know why. What an annoyance.

At least it's target practice.

Let's see… the usual offenders. An assortment of fairies are playing nicely enough, but it's the trio of fairies and their friend Crino, the fool ice fairy. As usual, the three are egging the fairy on as she freezes flowers.

I suppose there's nothing for me to do but disperse them.

I slowly fly over to the vicinity of the quartet and fire a few small magical bolts around them. However, they're too wrapped up in their shenanigans to notice, so it looks like I'll have to be a bit more forceful.

"You four fairies! Leave at once!" I call out to them.

Cirno sticks out her tongue in defiance upon hearing my request and continues freezing the flowers. The other three glance between themselves and then try to tug Cirno along with them in an attempt to flee, but when they do, she shakes free and stubbornly continues to freeze flowers at a faster pace.

Such simple-minded and arrogant creatures who care for nothing but their own personal enjoyment of something. They are beneath me, which is why I strike them without a second thought.

And so, I sigh and collapse my parasol. I then point the end of it at the ice fairy, ready to release a high-accuracy beam right at her.

But I don't.

...I'm stuck in thought. Are fairies really beneath me?

It sounds like an easily-answered question. Of course they are, their minds are too simple to be on the level of any human or youkai. You're better than them, and purely because of mental capacity. There are more reasons, of course, but that's the major one.

But did I not consider everything beneath me, up until a few days ago…? I drove anyone and everyone off from the Garden, after all. But now, I don't treat people that way; not anymore, I don't.

So what sets fairies apart? Should I not also attempt to be friendlier with them?

They are spirits, embodiments of different aspects of nature itself. If I claim to love nature, why do I hate fairies?

Such is my thought process.

All the while, Cirno has moved to another batch of blossoms. The other three are nowhere to be seen.

Again, I sigh, and fire the beam, knocking Cirno out of the air in a blinding flash of light.

What kind of thinking was that? Humans and youkai are… different from them. Fairies, I'm better than in every conceivable way, and from time to time, I have to remind them of that. It's simply the price they pay for their disrespect. If nothing else, she was bringing harm to my flowers.

I survey the damage the frost has wrought. Why was I indecisive? I spent time that could have been spent protecting what's important to me on a stupid philosophical question of the standing of these little fools.

Their standing is evident. Ask any Gensokyan and they'll tell you - outside of plants and animals, fairies are the basest living beings.

I must be getting soft if I think fairies are worth my time. There's being kind and friendly, and then there's naivety.

With the troublemakers settled, I go to the more mundane parts of nurturing my Garden.

Parasol in hand, I walk through the Village, trying my luck at socializing with passerby.

Nothing is working, though. The people just shrink when I attempt to talk with them. When I do manage to start a conversation, they end it. I've tried various topics and methods - small talk about the weather, asking them about themselves, anything.

I've sacrificed a lot of my dignity to do this. I've even - and I shudder to think of it - started trying to actually compliment people in an attempt to get them to talk with me. But when I do that, they just tend to nervously laugh and and give a halfhearted, disbelieving expression of thanks before falling utterly silent.

It's painfully, painfully awkward.

My nature as a youkai itself is probably driving people away. And that's something about myself that I can't change. Ultimately, it seems I'm just not meant to associate with the common townsperson.

But it's okay, if I just have what I've got now. There's Kosuzu, and Sekibanki, and Marisa, and Reimu, and…

That's it.

For my effort, two more people like me. The whole village still hates me…

And so does Alice. Incredibly so.

That's what brought me to this in the first place, wasn't it? To be a better person, to be a more social person. Because I hurt someone personally, because of something I did in the past when I was less caring of my actions' consequences.

And the nail in the coffin, just days ago, when I went to her house.

Somewhere in my mind, I wonder about it. How can I make it up to her? What would that take?

I decide it's a thought for another time, though.

With no luck today in the Village, but still feeling the drive to go somewhere and speak with someone, I decide to visit the Shrine once again.

Walking up the familiar steps, I hear a woman, but not Reimu, speaking.

"Who knows what she's up to with Suzunaan? Someone like her doesn't just 'try to make friends' on a whim!"

Sensing some sort of drama and wanting to see what it entails, I creep into the trees enclosing the Shrine's grounds and watch whatever is going on unfold.

The woman I met from the bookstore appears to be trying to get Reimu to do something, but the shrine maiden looks very relaxed. It's almost as if she is ignoring the other woman.

"Nothing? You're going to do nothing about it?"

Reimu makes an exasperated expression and waves off the request. "I'm not really concerned. You've been making plays with Kosuzu too, don't think I haven't noticed. You don't see me exterminating you, Mamizou."

"You know how I am, though, Reimu. I'd never do a thing to hurt a villager. And you and I can agree on this: Yuuka Kazami is not like me. She hates humans. It's not like I haven't heard the stories, from incidents past."

Reimu, now agitated, faces away from Mamizou. "My policy is to assume good intentions until someone actually does something wrong. Will I keep an eye on it? Yeah, sure. But you can bet I'm not going to go fight her for… you know. What basically amounts to her changing her routine."

Mamizou gives a deep sigh. "Fine. I can see you won't do anything, so don't come crying to little old me when villagers start turning up dead."

The tanuki turns away from the shrine maiden, proceeding towards the stairs that serve as the exit to the shrine, muttering under her breath. I can't make it out, but she is not pleased. Turning back, she makes sure Reimu has gone back in the shrine itself before making a slight hand motion.

At her signal, a multitude of tanuki appearing in their normal, raccoon-like form rush up to her feet without making the slightest sound. She leans in, whispers something to the whole lot of them, and then dismisses them all with another flick of her wrist.

Looking satisfied, and dropping her angry face in an instant - making it clear it was just an act - Mamizou walks away.

She was definitely talking about me, and she wants to get rid of me. Somehow, my being more interactive with the village seems to be intimidating her, and so she tried to get Reimu to stop me.

But what problem does she have with a youkai being in the village and talking to people? Clearly she was on good terms with Kosuzu, and it wouldn't surprise me if she had other contacts.

"I know you're in there."

It's Reimu, back out of the shrine, and I didn't notice.

"And you probably heard that whole conversation, didn't you?"

I tentatively nod in affirmation.

"Haha. You have nothing to worry about. I don't suspect you of anything. I'm actually more concerned with what Mamizou is plotting, because she never turns to me for help. She'd much rather play petty pranks involving my donation box."

"Well, that's good to hear."

"Anyways, I've got plans for today. I'm heading out to the village to do some shopping, so I can't stay and chat."

Reimu, without saying anything else, walks off.

There goes the other idea I had for doing today. Reimu obviously can't be seen with me in the village, it would make her lose any last shreds of her reputation.

With nothing doing today, I decide to just spend the rest of the day thinking in the Garden.

I can't help but turn my thoughts to Alice.

Eventually, I will have to speak to her. It just feels wrong to have someone so thoroughly hate me like that.

Back then, when I first met her… it was a different time, in Gensokyo. People did not concern themselves with others, and interactions often turned to hostility. Not like the mock fights of today - actual battles where more than pride was on the line.

I was a different person, almost. More aggressive, more freewheeling. Back then, I went out of my way to intimidate people, a real terror. When in a fight, I was vicious. In one instance, it resulted in the destruction of Makai, as I recall it. With that goddess… Shinki, I believe?

Alice had some personal attachment to her. She mentioned another name, as well - Yumeko?

Either way, when I dueled Shinki, we brought ruin to Makai. While not much leaves an impression on my memory now - being around for over a thousand years, you figure out how to ignore the useless information - that fight remains sharp in my mind. It was relatively recent, compared to other things, but I have a feeling I will never forget it, as long as I live.

I was fascinated. The sight of an entire realm, caught in a storm of flames and destruction. It was incredible to me, then. There was a certain beauty in the inferno. Not nearly as splendorous as my Garden, of course, but in some ways the fires reminded me of flowers. The arms of the blaze, reaching the sky, dissolved into smaller and smaller little sparks of flame. It reminded me of the petals of a cherry blossom lazily floating to the ground in spring, but this was the reverse, as they drifted upwards.

I was transfixed by the destruction. It seems odd, on reflection, that I so loved collapse, when my power is one that is inherently for creation. Perhaps it is because the sight of life returning to a land of death is the most magnificent sight to behold, and so some ruination is necessary. At least, that could be what I thought.

I am still awed by it, even now, but for another reason. I have come to realize how utterly pointless it was.

That day was marked by anguish. While I was mostly oblivious to this at first, I was made aware of it when Alice came back for a second fight.

The first round was pitifully one-sided. After all, she was clearly just a novice, but even then I sensed potential in her. Not that I ever told her. When she came back, she wasn't altogether much stronger herself. Rather, she had brought a grimoire, and claimed it was full of the "ultimate magic".

Yes, it was more challenging, but even the strongest magic is still weak if the caster is not in complete control of it, and she clearly was not.

Now that she's had several more years of time to practice, it would be interesting to see what she is capable of now. I know she still carries it around.

Actually, giving it more thought, the power of that book is incredible. If it so amplified her fighting prowess then… it may do more than pose a threat to me, now. That would likely give her an edge in a hypothetical battle where she used it, considering that I have not been active in incidents recently and am out of practice. After all, my strength is not in strategy. I am more the type to exert my will over my opponents, to beat them down with raw firepower, which I am nearly unrivaled in. But if something like that would be capable of giving her the advantage over me?

There wouldn't be many people who could stop her.

I have a feeling that if Alice were to actually use that grimoire, she wouldn't be abiding by the spell card rules. Perhaps Reimu, or that Eiki who so rudely fought me some time ago, could stand a chance. I don't really have a complete grasp of the latter's strength outside of spell cards. I know Marisa wouldn't last long, despite her boasts. She does well in the play fights, but her strongest attack is but an imitation of my own. She is not an incredibly strong magician, just able to think fast, I think. The only person I can think of who would definitely be able to win is that Yukari, but she is nigh invincible, even to someone like me. Her strength and wisdom is truly immeasurable, even if she is insufferable.

I also have the impression that it is a last resort of last resorts, though. So if I crossed paths with her again, she almost certainly would not bring it out… probably.

...I should try to meet with her again, and make amends. That's what I tried just a few days ago, and that failed spectacularly. But with more experience under my belt, I've the belief that it would not go as rapidly downhill. But that, perhaps, is something for tomorrow.

"Well, you look glum."

I locate the direction of the sound immediately, right behind me, and whip my parasol around to point it at them threateningly.

It comes to a halt exactly at the heart of the intruder, ready to impale it if they so much as move. It's a defense mechanism I've picked up over the years, but use sparingly, as most people are smart enough to avoid the Garden.

"Oho… you'd think you'd give a 'friend' a warmer welcome."

...It's Sekibanki.

I quickly withdraw it, noticing that she was staring unflinchingly at the point of it. If I focus hard enough, I think I can hear her heartbeat going faster than a tengu.

"Well, now that I'm not about to be murdered, I have something to ask you. Or, rather, a suggestion."

"Ah. What would it be? ...Sorry about that, by the way."

"Hah! I've been on the receiving end of an armory's worth of knives before. I mean, I'd rather not die, y'know, but I don't get all worked up about it.

"So, about the suggestion. I know you've your desire to make more friends, so I decided to go ahead and contact a few people I go way back with. If you're alright with it, I'd like to introduce them to you tomorrow."

I don't know what other sorts Sekibanki associates with, but I'm curious. "Certainly. I have nothing else…"

Oh, wait. I was going to try again with Alice.

I can't tell what her facial expression is; unlike yesterday, where she pulled down her capelet's collar so I could see her whole face, it today obscures her mouth.

However, I can guess at her emotion from her response. "Good! I'm meeting up with them all tomorrow at the Road of Liminality, so if you'd meet us there…"

"The Road of Liminality? You're going to make me go all the way out there?"

She laughs softly, to herself. "Implying that coming here isn't a bit of a hike either."

"It sounds like you need a little more activity in your life; this is nothing. I make the trip very often."

She doesn't retort, surprisingly. "Hmph. See you tomorrow, then. Good night."

She turns around to walk away, but suddenly stops.

"Almost forgot. They don't actually know I've invited you; they just think it's a meeting for old time's sake. So… keep that in mind."

With that, the rokurokubi leaves.

"What a fool…" I mutter to myself, ready to turn in for the night.

Tomorrow will be… interesting, for certain. There's an opportunity to make new friends, but there's also still the possibility of going to Alice, if there is time.

Incredible, what a few days can change about someone.

Yo. It's the author.

I'm going to start doing the "writer's notes" thing, or whatever. You know what I mean. So I'll just go over the first five chapters here.

My inspiration for this story was basically: "Yuuka in fanon is often portrayed as sadistic and maniacal. How about… she's that, but starts wanting to change?"

I decided that the best way to go about this would be Yuuka realizing how the way she always acted was wrong. How her Garden kept her isolated from interaction with anyone else, and unfeeling, because it brought her happiness.

Hence, the title: The Primrose Path - an idiom referring to how a life of pleasure can result in problems down the line. I'd say it fits pretty aptly. Especially with the flower pun, which was a must.

It *ahem* blossomed into a story about how Yuuka tries to makes friends after this realization. As for choosing who those friends would be… I don't have a method to it. It just sort of happened, in planning. Some pieces of the puzzle just came together, so to speak.

Of course, she won't get along with everyone. She has two clear opposing forces so far: Alice, who hates her, and Mamizou, who is just...being sketchy. You'll just have to wait and see where those go.

That out of the way, I'd like to just respond to some reviews. Figured some author-reader interaction can't hurt.

great fan of sayu mayu project: That's what I was aiming for. Glad to hear that's the effect it had on you.

Acerman: Hmm, a fight between Mamizou and Yuuka. Would be interesting. It probably wouldn't be described in great detail in this story were it to happen; that's not what it's about (and I think I'm pretty bad at action scenes). There may be some sort of confrontation between them, though. Who knows? Mamizou, while a capable fighter, prefers using words and manipulation to get what she wants.

Lukap99: Yuuka is pretty new to the whole "socializing" concept. It's fun to see how in new situations, her intimidating persona dissolves and she's completely genuine. It's great to write, I'll tell ya that. We might be seeing a little bit more of that next chapter, perhaps?