*Re-edited version 10/21/12*

Excuse me for mistakes or confusion. People wanted to know who was on the rooftop the other chapter, and now you have your answer. Also, we have some EXO characters introduced! :D Tell me your biases from EXO because it might be put into consideration in future chappies. Please leave a comment or subscribe. I love you my readers~

Anything in green is in Japanese.

Disclaimer: I don't own pics.

(Taemin's POV)

It had been a week since he met Alaina. An entire week since they had discovered that fate permanently destined them together. A week that they spent their days getting familiar to each other.

But it only took a second - and a nudging smack from fate - for him to fall in love with her. And he wouldn't want anyone else but her.

Taemin clearly saw how Alaina was uneasy with relationships or communication, he was too in his own way, but he would slowly built a spiritual string that connected them, and enforce it so it would never be severed.

Taemin treated Alaina like she was his beloved wife - a precious treasure. He was patient with her, gentle, and never forceful. He was too in love to ever let her out of his sight.

As a couple, he always wondered what it was like to kiss her plush lips. But neither of them ever inclined to such moment because Alaina was too timid. Alaina knew his explicit feelings for her, but he didn't know hers. He would wait as long as forever to hear her confession.

So since the week they met, he finally had the courage to win a kiss.

His stupid, moronic, nonsensical, eavesdropping (he had more to say but decided the list conveyed his irritation) hyungs just had to ruin the moment.

Alaina and him broke their first kiss when they heard a loud, "WHAT?!" pound audibly against the door.

Alaina immediately blushed like a cherry as Taemin rubbed his forehead aggravatedly. He stomped over to the door and swung it open.

"HYUNGS!"

"Er...hi, sweetie," babbled Key innocently, straightening from his crouch. "Did you show Alaina your room?"

"And steal - cough - a kiss?" Jonghyun coughed behind his fist.

Onew peered over Taemin's shoulder to Alaina. "Ah! Alaina's blushing! I was right! They did kiss!"

"I'm going to KILL YOU!" Taemin began chasing his hyungs in fury.

Minho was the only one who was spared and glanced at Alaina as she exited Taemin's room. She had her palm over her heated face.

"Want a drink?" he asked her mildly.

"Yes, please."

...

(Someone's POV)

"I'm saying I believe I found a girl with the list of traits that match the descriptions exactly," he argued persistently.

"Exactly?" challenged his leader, raising a sharp brow. "Himchan thought he found the right girl and ended up stealing her soul."

Someone snorted behind him. He waited until his leader spoke up again, "What makes you so sure?"

"I've been spying on her and her...guardian friends," he said slowly and deliberately. "I overhear their conversations and keep track of the girl from a distance. They don't suspect my presence because of my shadowing abilities. The male guardians are very watchful of her, always nearby. Apparently she just discovered she's not human."

"An Inhuman who believed herself as a human?" summarized the leader skeptically. "And her powers?"

"For whatever reason, it's low profile - possibly non-physical," he replied simply. "They speak of training her."

"That won't be good," interrupted another voice off to the side. "If she is the real target, then wouldn't it be best to strike while she's incapable to protect herself?"

"Good idea, Zelo. We need to plan something - quick." His leader inclined his head at him. "Youngjae, continue to gather information. If your assumption is correct, we will apprehend her. Then the King will be fully revived once again."

Youngjae forgot to mention one vital aspect about the girl, that she was the soulmate of SHINee's maknae, but it wouldn't matter anyway. They had to abduct her for their own selfish reasons.

...

(Alaina's POV)

Onew wanted to test my powers again.

"Just try to see the image I have in my head and explain it," he requested of me.

We were sitting in the calm setting of a living room, sharing a couch.

Other than Onew, Taemin was with me, his arms wrapped securely around my waist. He was quiet and calculating as Onew and I performed experiments with my gifts.

I grasped Onew's hand in mine and closed my eyes.

My senses tingled.

I murmured in a soft voice, "I see...a field - like a meadow with a gentle breeze. The grass is about ankle-high with this emerald hue. There's so many wildflowers with beautiful colors, almost neon, like they're glowing. The sky is the prettiest color of azure I've seen, blotched with big white clouds, but behind the clouds, the sky has these ribbons or streaks of glittery silver. I can see two large moons in two directions...and the air smells fresh and sweet like fruit and grass."

I snapped back into reality when Onew pried off our grip; he leaned away in astonishment.

"You didn't just see the moment," he breathed, eyes flecked wide, "but you experienced it. You saw, felt, even smelt what was within the memory."

"It was a memory?" I asked.

Onew nodded. "A memory of home back in the Reversed World. The meadow you saw was a place I would visit frequently as a kid."

Onew...as a kid? I'd like to see, I thought.

Onew was staring at his hand, feeling the spark of reaction die down. He flexed his fingers thoughtfully.

"Alaina, we're going to need you to stay over here more if we are to experiment your powers further," he told me. "You're powers are like Key, in a way. Very diverse and unpredictable."

"But I only been living at my apartment for about a week," I protested. "And the counselor who oversees my-"

"I'm your cousin, aren't I?" Onew reminded me with a playful wink. "I'm old enough to take over guardianship."

I stammered, "But-but-" Do I really have to move in with a bunch of supernatural boys who look like models? When I was at my place, it maintained my sanity as I immersed myself with an ordinary atmosphere. I didn't want to wake up everyday in a wonderland with knights at my side, because...that wasn't like me.

And what about the death-glaring witch Soojin? She would torture me even more at school when she heard. Like having class with her and SHINee wasn't enough to fuel her rage.

But I wanted to learn about myself. When I was human, I thought I had some piece of me that I could control over - that I had knowledge of, but now, after entering a new world, my past transformed into a fantasy that was real. My past wasn't just a black hole anymore. I had a new feeling.

I called it hope.

I relented with a loud sigh. Onew and Taemin glanced at me. "I'll do it. I'll move in with you guys. Just give me my own room at least."

Taemin pouted. "Wae? Don't like sleeping with me?"

"I need my own space, sometimes, Taemin."

"I have a big room," he pointed out.

"But I need privacy," I argued.

He let go of his hold on me to cross his arms sulkily. "Fine," he huffed indifferently.

Onew clapped his hands. "Then, it's decided. Tomorrow I'll go to your school and talk to your counselor. I'll have a story by then to convince him."

I deflated. "I told one of the bullies at my school that your umma was cousins with mine."

"That'll work," he assured. He cocked a concerned brow. "You have bullies?"

"It's our fangirls," muttered Taemin, still bitter. "One keeps threatening Alaina, but the student council president helps her when she can." A tiny smiled graced his lips. "Alaina made some good friends, though."

Onew beamed. "That's great!"

I felt my cheeks flush. It was like being asked 'how was your day' by your parents.

The moment was very...nice.

...

(Taemin's POV)

Using persuasion of super undeniable aegyo tactics, Taemin earned his cell phone back.

Alaina and him were in the library of the house.

They snuggled up in a loveseat, Taemin occupied with texting and Alaina occupied with reading. Onew had recommended some stories for her to read so she instantly did her 'homework'.

Kai? sent Taemin and waited, but he knew his friend would reply instantly.

Taemin! Did you get your phone taken up again by Key-hyung? inquired Kai.

Yup. :P

XD That's what happens when our ummas get naggy. D.O. can never find my phone.

^_^ Key-umma had a reason this time.

What was it?

^_^

You're creeping me out with the giddy face. O_o

;) Not sure if I can tell you.

Don't make me teleport there.

You're not supposed to use your powers without an excuse, babo.

I have an excuse, my best friend won't stop being annoying. >:(

Taemin snickered at his friend's aggravation and Alaina glanced at him at him queerly. Distracted and blissful, he couldn't help but suffocate her in an enthusiastic hug.

"Taemin!" she objected breathlessly. "I can't breath. What's with you?"

Taemin ruffled her hair. "Nothing, nothing~" he sang. "I'm just happy." He grinned brightly.

Patting down her mussed hair, Alaina rolled her eyes but also smiled at his infectious optimism. "Araso, just don't hug me all of the sudden."

"But you're my soulmate. I can hug you whenever I want to," he countered, smirking.

"You think," she retorted, poking his nose with a fingertip, her tattooed ring forever present on her finger.

Taemin's phone rumbled demandfully.

Yah! Are you ignoring me? Kai badgered. I'm seriously going to teleport. D.O. can bite my head off later.

Aish, I'm back. I was just talking to someone.

Who?

Now he hesitated, Taemin debated whether or not to tell his friend the truth.

Can you keep a secret?

How secret?

Where Onew-hyung orders Key-umma to bury me alive and Key does it because he wants to.

Aigoo, that's sad. Don't worry, I'll be the one throwing roses on your grave. XD

Kai!

Mianhae, so who is it?

You can't tell anyone, and don't teleport here. It's my S-O-U-L-M-A-T-E. ^_~

Kai didn't reply right away. Taemin was wondering if his friend was trying to hold himself back from teleporting in his face just to yell at him.

YAH, YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME EARLIER! That's great man! Is she pretty? :D

She's everything I want. >//<

You sound so cheesy. Aigoo~Taeminnie is married~

Jealous?

I'm single because I want to be.

Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

Take a picture of her. I wanna see her.

Araso. But show no one.

Yeah, yeah, hurry up.

"Yah, Alaina, can you pose for a picture for me?" Taemin asked his dear soulmate out of the blue. She furrowed a puzzled brow. "I want a wallpaper of you," he half-lied. He would use it as his wallpaper.

"Araso..." she said uncertainly. She kept the book near as she smiled, her eyes shining in warmth and face soft. He snapped a perfect selca of her.

"Yay!" he cheered and winked at her. "You look so pretty~"

Alaina scoffed at him and returned to her reading, smiling.

Discreetly, Taemin sent the picture to Kai.

...

(Kai's POV)

Kai quietly waited for Taemin's anticipated text message. It was a good thing he was relaxing on a rooftop, it was easier to text Taemin without Suho or D.O. breathing down his neck, assuming he would do something reckless or silly.

The afternoon breeze blew at his hair, cooling his skin from the sun's blazing warmth. He stared at the busy yet tranquil atmosphere around him. Cars driving by, people like ants on the streets, birds chirping...

His phone buzzed and he looked at it curiously.

Here here~ said Taemin. At the bottom was a picture.

Kai found himself enchanted by her.

"Whoa," he whispered in awe. Either Taemin was a really good photographer or his soulmate really was everything Taemin would want.

The first thing that caught his attention were the girl's eyes. The shape of her eyes was like a sculptor had etched great precision and detail into them, and it looked like she wore make-up but didn't. Her eyes were dark and held much depth in them, the blackness of her hair accentuating her orbs even darker. Her glossy black hair framed a soft heart-shaped face. Her complexion was very pale, but ivory in the light, maybe even more milkier than Sehun's skin tone. She had pale pink lips that were looked very, very kissable and soft.

Kai snapped out of his daze when Taemin messaged him again.

What do you think? Isn't she perfect~?

The words stabbed his chest. You have no idea, Kai thought.

Are you sure she's your soulmate? I think she's mine, he joked but wished that was true.

We have the tattoos to prove it.

What's her name?

First a picture, now her name? Tsk tsk, demanding.

Remind you I'm the one who can teleport. I can ask her myself you know.

Not unless I have something to do with it.

Name, he demanded again.

Just to let you know, she's Japanese. Her name is Akiyama Alaina.

What kind of name is that?

I happen to love it.

Wouldn't it be Lee Alaina now?

Oh, yeah. But not in human terms. I love my wifey~ ^_^

Kai felt something stir in his chest uneasily. He didn't like it.

Have you kissed her yet? he couldn't help but ask. He was afraid to see the answer.

>//< We had our first kiss today.

Lucky you, he sent, but Taemin wouldn't know how bittersweet he felt. Then he added, How did you two meet?

Long story, but basically the first meeting I saved her from a demon then I chased her the next day at school because I wanted to know if she was the same girl. When Key explained things to her, she was very understanding. Aigoo, my wifey~

Demon!? O_O

She's fine, I said I saved her didn't I?

We barely have any demon sightings here in Busan. :<

We had a couple this week. But only low-ranks.

You better protect her.

I know, I don't like it when she's not in my arms.

Enough cheesiness, dude. But wait, how are you bonded to her when she seems human? Is she even an Inhuman?

That's why Onew-hyung wants to keep her under the radar. We're trying to figure it out. She said she's been human all her life.

Oh. Hope you find out. I'll keep her a secret.

Kai was alerted when he heard the door entrance to the rooftop pry open.

"Kai-hyung?" sought out Sehun's voice.

Kai hurried and sent, I gotta go to Taemin and slipped his phone in his pocket. He acted cool and casual as Sehun strode over to him with long legs.

"Were you texting Taemin-hyung, again?" the younger one asked, smiling affably.

Kai smirked secretively. "Ne, but nothing much. He said he had some...problems at school and SHINee has been having some demon sightings."

Sehun perked up. "What? Demon sightings? I wish we had some, it's boring here. The Peacemaker search is sooooo loooooong!"

"I forgot to ask Taemin about that," admitted Kai, stuffing his hands in his pockets. But honestly, he was distracted about Alaina. He wanted to glimpse at her picture again but only would when he was alone.

Alaina...who was Taemin's soulmate.

Kai pursed his lips burdensomely. Why did he feel this way towards his friend? He felt...

Jealous.

...

(Alaina's POV)

That night, Taemin insisted I sleep in his room with him, much to everyone's chagrin, even mine. Onew only shrugged, Minho shook his head, and the husband-wife pair warned their 'son' not to do anything.

Not like his bed wasn't an improvement than the one at my apartment. His was a king-sized platform bed with the fluffiest pillows and comfy covers.

It was around nine when I was in his bedroom. I had changed into my pajamas - an old long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants, and already brushed my teeth and washed my face. Right now, Taemin was taking a shower so I had time to myself. I decided to write a letter to Ayano. I sat at Taemin's desk, grabbed a pen and paper, and contemplated what to write.

Dear Ayano, I'm sorry for not writing the first day when I arrived at Seoul, I was busy getting a decent job and fitting in at school. Even though I have my own apartment, I made some new friends that I really trust and decided to move in with them tomorrow. I am healthy and working hard at school and at the cafe I chose. The cafe owners are very kind and treat me like a daughter or younger sister. My friends are very considerate and hardworking, I hope you can meet them one day. Now, enough about me, what about you? How are things at the orphanage? What about Yuki? Is he healthy? Tired? I hope he's not stressing himself. Tell everyone that I miss them and will write again. I better go to bed now, I'm very tired from studying and hanging out with friends. With all my heart, your granddaughter, Alaina.

Even though I knew he was behind me, I flinched when he breathed close to my ear, "What did you write?"

I turned around to swat his shoulder. Thank goodness he had the decency to wear clothes after showering. "Taemin!" I shouted at him, cheeks coloring. "You shouldn't read other people's letters. It's personal!"

He skimmed at my letter but couldn't read it because it was in Japanese characters. "To someone back home?" he inquired.

I nodded, biting my bottom lip. "I haven't contacted them since, so I thought it'd be a good idea to write to them. I don't have a phone...and the cost for international calls..."

He reached out to caress my cheek soothingly. "Yah, don't worry. It's fine. I'll just ask Onew-hyung to buy you a phone tomorrow."

I groaned. "No gifts, please. Living here is enough."

He only laughed. I helped him dry his still-wet hair and then he turned off the lights and tugged me to bed. Drawing the blankets around us, he kept me close to his chest, arms encircled around my abdomen, face pressed against the crown of my head. Our breathing calmed and synchronized.

"Alaina?"

"Hm?"

"Earlier...before I kissed you...you said something to me in Japanese, didn't you?"

In the darkness, I blushed at the memory. "Y-yeah," I stammered. "W-what about it?"

"What did you say? I think I have an idea..." On my forehead, I felt his lips curve into a smile.

I was quiet until...

"I said 'I love you'."

Taemin was positively happy at my answer, nuzzling his face in my hair. "Saranghae~" he crooned to me. I giggled helplessly.

"I will always love you, baka," I murmured softly before my eyelids began to droop.

Only you...my love...

...