Requested by: Wixies_wittle_ and herminebine
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Jisung had arrived back to the groups location.

The other members did as well, wondering where he as well as Minho, Changbin, and Hyunjin were.

Once Jisung explained however, the group immediately began the search on ways to get them down from the mountain.

"This isn't happening man...", Seungmin said.

"But it is.", Chan said, "We can do this though, we can find them."

"Can we?", Felix asked.

They all looked at him.

"Look, I've done my fair research on Mt. Yoshino beforw. And the gates."

"And what did your research find?", Jisung asked.

"The gates have been appearing for over twenty years. At some point, around five months ago, they reappeared for the first time in three years."

"And then?"

"Since then, there has only ever been one person to go into a gate on Mt. Yoshino and come back."

The members glanced at each other.

"And who was that?", Chan asked.

"Do you guys not remember?"

Chan said no, so did the others.

"Let me pull up the article then."

Felix took out his laptop, typing some keywords into the search engine as the members gathered around.

He began to read.

"The myths of the Gates of Yoshino appeared to be disappearing, until around five months ago..."

Felix paused.

"...when popular Korean music group Ateez came to Japan for a world tour."

Chan started to remember the story.

"It was said by group leader Hongjoong, that one morning, the groups members, Yeosang, Wooyoung, and San, went to Mt. Yoshino to walk the path and take photos."

Felix looked away for a second before continuing to read.

"A few hours passed, and only Yeosang came home."

"So that's what happened to them?", Seungmin asked.

Chan took a deep sigh.

"If this is any indication of what we are dealing with, we are in trouble."

"Why do you say that?", Jisung asked.

"Did you hear what Felix just said? Wooyoung and San never came back. It's been five months."

"Ateez has been miserable without them. Hongjoong said Yeosang almost doesn't talk at all anymore.", Felix said.

Jisung sat down.

"We need their help."

"Huh?", the others replied.

"They have experience with this. Plus, if we can get our members back...maybe we can get them back too."

Chan and Felix made eye contact.

"You think Yeosang will tell us what happened?"

"I can only hope."

-------------------------------------------------------------

"I hungry daddy.", Hyunjin said.

"Me too baby. We have been walking for agesssss!"

Minho walked ahead of the pair.

"Let's take a rest.", he said, "I know we're all tired of walking up steps."

Hyunjin and Changbin gladly sat down.

"Great. More problems. We have no food.", Changbin said, "This is it..."

"Don't be so dramatic. We will get home."

Minho heard voices around them.

"Guys, did you hear that?"

"Hear what?", Changbin asked.

"Listen."

The trio listened closely.

In the distance, they heard a voice.

"Yo is that a rabbit? Come here, I want to keep you."

Minho was trying to see if the voice sounded familiar.

"Hmm. These are growing nicely. He'll like them."

Changbin instantly recognized the voice however, standing up and going out on the path.

"Wooyoung!", he yelled.

The voice stopped, and quick footsteps were heard before said person emerged from a bush on the other side of the path.

"Changbin?! Holy shit! What are you doing here?"

"I got stuck here with Minho and Little Hyunjin."

The members stood up, greeting Wooyoung.

"Oh you poor souls. How long have you been here?"

"A few hours now."

"Hmm. I see. Well, come with me."

Wooyoung disappeared into the bushes again.

"He so pretty daddy.", Hyunjin said.

"He is. Now let's go."

The three followed Wooyoung through the bushes.

They came across what seemed to be the beginnings of an area of farmland.

"Wooyoung, where are we?", Minho asked.

"To hell if I know. I call it our little slice of heaven. We found this abandoned place here and set up shop."

The members stepped through a final wave of shrubbery to reveal a small home in a clearing, trees all around every side, and an area dedicated to what looked like freshly growing fruits.

"Wow...this is amazing.", Minho said.

"It's beautiful.", Changbin added.

"Yep. Come on in, it's hot out here."

Wooyoung guided them inside.

The interior of the home was mostly wood, seemingly from the cherry blossom tree.

"Hey babe, I found my glasses!", San yelled from the kitchen.

"San?", Changbin said.

Said menber came running from the kitchen, glasses completely broken.

"What...in the hell?"

"They got stuck here too. Figured I would invite them in.", Wooyoung replied.

"Well, welcome friends! Our little spot in the trees here is open to all."

"Doesn't look to bad for being trapped here. I'm glad you guys are okay.", Minho said.

They all sat down in the living room.

San took a liking to Little Hyunjin, having the baby sit by him.

"So, how is our group doing?", San asked.

"Honestly, it's been hell.", Changbin said.

"Really?", Wooyoung said.

"Yeah. They have been so heartbroken. They miss you all. And poor Yeosang, he doesn't talk anymore."

San and Wooyoung both took sighs of relief.

"He's alive.", San said, "Oh man...it was killing me not knowing."

"Wait, you guys didn't know Yeosang was alive?", Minho asked.

"To make a long story short, we aren't the only ones here. That gate led to what I can only imagine is another world. One protected by a creature that took Yeosang from us.", Wooyoung said.

"And sent him home it seems like.", San added.

Hyunjin listened to them talk, thinking in his own mind of what to do.

"Why don't we go find monster?", Hyunjin said.

"Do what now?", Wooyoung replied.

"Go find monster! If monster bring Yeosang home, maybe monster bring us home."

"That's a good idea, but it's too risky.", San said.

"But it's a chance.", Wooyoung replied.

"Yeah, a chance to die! Babe, we thought he was dead for months. We had no idea what happened to him, and we have no idea how long it took him to get home."

"So what do we do? Sit here for the rest of eternity?"

San had an idea.

"Don't smile like that San it's creepy.", Wooyoung said.

"Sorry for creeping you out babes. But...I have an idea."

"What you idea?", Hyunjin asked.

"We were able to briefly use our phones to contact the outside world when we got here. But there is no electricity, so our phones died."

"Okay...", Minho said.

"I vote one of us goes to find this monster. We see if somehow he brings that person back home, then, we can call one of you and tell you the way back."

Minho didn't think it was a bad idea.

"I'll go.", Wooyoung said, "I like monsters."

"Oh no no no. I'm going. If somehow Yeosang got lucky and was brought home by accident, I don't want you to be made an example of.", San replied.

"What does that mean?"

"There is a potential this monster didn't bring Yeosang home. Maybe it was by chance, or Yeosang escaped and found found way home. If so, this creature could still very well be dangerous...maybe deadly."

"And you want me to let you go at this alone?"

"Yes, babe. I do."

Changbin watched the look on Wooyoung's face turn to sadness.

"But...what if...if you are right? And what if this monster hurts you...or..."

San went to him, putting both hands on his face.

"Have you had fun these past five months?"

"I did. Because I'm with you."

"Good. I have enjoyed it too."

San kissed Wooyoung's hand.

"So if I am correct...what a wonderful memory to leave on?"

"San..."

"Don't be angry at me baby. You're too cute to be mad."

Wooyoung laughed.

"I'm going with you.", Minho said.

Changbin looked at him.

San nodded in agreement.

"If you want. But you know..."

"I do. We may not come back. If we don't..."

Minho went to Changbin and Hyunjin.

"Take care of Jisung for me. And make sure he doesn't pout too much, it makes him look like a squirrel."

Hyunjin hugged Minho, Changbin did as well.

Wooyoung hugged San as tightly as he could.

Then, together, San and Minho left the house.

"Why does it feel like I just said goodbye forever?", Wooyoung asked.

"They'll be back Wooyoung.", Changbin said.

Hyunjin went to Wooyoung, giving him a hug as well.

"Daddy says hugs always make heart feel better. You feel better?"

"I do cutie. Thank you."

Wooyoung hugged him back.

Changbin could tell he was trying to hold back his emotions.

But who wouldn't be when the person they loved just walked out of the door, knowing they may never come back?

"Uh, Wooyoung?"

"Yeah Changbin?"

"That creature...it isn't shaped like a decaying tree and standing at the window is it?"

Wooyoung and Hyunjin looked at the window.

Sure enough, the very creature from that night was there, branches twisting and moving all around it.

"I don't think they're the ones we should be worried about..."