The pack leader (ff San, Seonghwa)

25.

Every one of them started to feel anxious, they had four last days left, yet they still haven't found the herb. All of them were on edge, but all of that anxiety and frustration was used to drive themselves more, to search more, longer. In the beginning they stayed in a nearby hotel, managing to book a room, later they slowly stopped paying and simply camped near the destination they were searching.

In the past two days they barely slept, wanting to keep trying to find the herb so their member was saved. Their pack counted on them and they were determined to succeed, even if it meant that they couldn't sleep.

"I'll go further into the forest, it looks like the river runs through it, maybe even springs from somewhere there."

"Okay, be careful." Jay and Jem stayed by their current camping site while San went up stream, hoping the route won't be a failure. He had a feeling, call it a gut or whatever, that he was close as soon as he stepped onto parched glade. The scent of something sweet hit his nose so strongly that he almost fainted. He never smelled anything like this before, he couldn't describe it even if he tried, which he honestly didn't, he only hoped for it to be the herb they were so desperately looking for.

He followed the sweet scent, being almost overwhelmed from how heavy it was, especially given his intensified senses.

He crossed the glade, continuing alongside the river, feeling the scent getting heavier and heavier with every step he took forward.

When he reached one particularly tall tree, he noticed something lightly glowing behind. He thought it was only a play of light, but when he went around the tree, his sight fell upon the thing he was searching for.

The herb was smaller than he imagined and there were only three in sight, but he knew it'll be enough.

'Jay, Jem!' He couldn't believe it. After so much struggle, they finally found it! One couldn't describe how happy and delighted he felt. They will save Amy! An awfully big rock fell from his heart and shoulders.

'Yes?' Thankfully they weren't that far, so they could actually hear San through pack link. He was so struck by the little herb in front of him that all they could feel from him was surprise, which made them curious but mostly concerned.

'I found it, I actually found it. It's right in front of me!' There was a second of silence before he felt Jem sprinting to the direction San said he would go. The pack link was overflowing with joy and happiness.

'Where are you, San?'

'Just go up stream and follow the sweet smell. A little warning ahead, it's pretty strong.' San still stared at the bright yellow herb in amazement. So this is how you look like in person, he thought, happy. There were three trees that looked the same and under all of them was growing one Ensoleil. San knew that couldn't be a coincidence, the tree and herb must coexist together, he didn't see any other explanation for that.

In no time Jem and Jay stood next to him, watching the herb as well. Nobody was able to move for a few seconds as the realization that they indeed found what they searched for sank in them.

They all moved at the same time like they had some telepathy, they carefully went to the herb, kneeling next to it.

Jay pulled three gloves from his backpack and little trowel so they could take the herb with roots.

"I can't believe you didn't visit us and tell us the news, we could have helped if you needed something."

"I'm sorry, Yunho, there was simply no time to do so. San, Jay and Jem left the same day and haven't come back yet. They have only three days left." Aurora looked down, playing with her fingers.