*Re-edited version 10/24/12*

Yay! Double update! But this chappie is slightly shorter and more of a filler. I HAVE FOUND A TAENA (TaeminxAlaina) SONG! Their song is SHINee's Kiss Kiss Kiss. It's in Japanese too, so it fits for Alaina. Everytime they're together in the story, play the song! I love the translation, so moving. I better go eat now, I'm starving...for ice cream. XD Sorry for mistakes and confusion. Please leave a comment or subscribe. Tell me your EXO biases because more are arriving in the near future!

(Revision) Taena's song list:

- SHINee's Replay (Japanese version)

- SHINee's Kiss Kiss Kiss

- SHINee's Best Place

- SHINee's The Reason

(Listen to these if you feel like there's a Taena moment. I'll put links if I ever feel like there's a couple moment. But I don't think there's one in here.)

(Alaina's POV)

The next morning, Key and Jonghyun personally roused their 'children'.

Key tickled my cheek with a feather, making me to wrinkle my nose like a rabbit, forehead creasing strange sensation. Jonghyun was making cheesy, jestful faces in Taemin's sleeping face.

But Taemin was Taemin, he knew.

"WH-mrf!" yelped Jonghyun when Taemin swiftly grabbed a pillow and rammed it in his 'appa's' face. At the yell, my eyes snapped open. I sat up abruptly, seeing Taemin smothering Jonghyun with a pillow and the dino-faced male was wrestling back. Key was laughing, and reached out to ruffle my mussed hair.

"Have a nice sleep?" he asked me tenderly. "Taemin didn't keep you awake did he?"

I shook my head and rubbed under my drowsy eyes. "Ani, what time is it?"

"Six-twenty. Kaja, and get ready, I made breakfast," ordered Key very motherly.

"Ne." I helped Key stop the rowdy quarrel between our soulmates.

Soulmates. It was getting easier for me to admit that, saying it with such love blossoming in my chest. I smiled.

Downstairs, Minho and Onew were finishing up their plates. I greeted them pleasantly, my sleeved-covered hand in Taemin's.

"I'll be going to school with you," Onew told us senior high schoolers. "I can miss some classes."

I raised a brow. "To finalize my guardianship?"

Onew held up a manilla folder. "I have some legal papers, and it's not like anyone can refuse me." His crescent eyes twinkled with a hint of clever deviousness.

Oh, Onew, you dubu leader, who said you never had a mischievous bone in your body?

While we ate, I was worried what happened if Onew found out where I really originated from. He wasn't the critical type to judge so quickly...but what would be his reaction?

It was still heavy on my mind as we drove to school, in two separate cars because Onew would have to head to college afterwards. It was a quick ride since guardians seemed to live for speed...and have the evasion skills to avoid police.

Maybe I should've asked if they were vampires, I mused as we entered the school building. Urgh, ani. I read too much vampire fiction these days. Onew waved goodbye and headed to the front office to search for my counselor. As usual, Taemin, Key, and Minho escorted me loyally to our homeroom. I could tell Taemin was irked that he couldn't have contact with me so familiarly in public. It drove him mad.

The class was gossiping when we arrived. People shot me interested glances as I sat down.

"I heard Onew-oppa was on campus today!" squealed a fangirl gleefully. "I missed him so much!"

"Too bad Jjongie-oppa didn't visit," whined another girl.

I swore I saw Key's brow twitch irritably when the girl referred to his beloved with a cutesy pet name. The relationship between Jongkey was strong and very admirable. Minho and Taemin snickered at their hyung's ticked off expression.

Gossip died down when the stern teacher started class, but I felt the atmosphere. Many girls wanted to ditch class and catch a glimpse for Onew. They were impatient and eager, hoping he didn't leave early.

Beside me, Taemin looked utterly bored and would shoot me longing glances when no one was watching. Then I saw his eyes cloud over and a knit formed between his brows. Then his lips jutted out into a pout. I prepared for whatever proceeded next.

A knock on the door interrupted the teacher's lecture and walked in an aid who handed the teacher a note and retreated away.

"Akiyama Alaina-shi," reported the teacher, "you're wanted at the counselor's office right away."

"Uh - araso." I gathered my work together and stood up. I saw Taemin pout when I took the note and walked off.

I'll see you later, I conveyed with a firm look.

Miss you already, he mouthed at me. His hyungs - who saw the interaction - smirked at their poor, brooding maknae.

It was a good thing I blushed when I was no longer in the room. This separation anxiety issue was a bother - not like we didn't want to be with each other.

It took me a minute to find my counselor's office, but when I did, I knocked on the door respectfully.

"Come in," called out a voice that didn't belong to an older man.

I came in warily and saw Onew sitting soberly in an armchair like he owned the room. Seeing his thoughtful, assessing expression, I knew it was time for the interrogation. My counselor was leaning over on his desk, snoring.

My eyes widened. "What did you do to him?" I was baffled.

Onew waved a dismissive hand. "I told him to go asleep after fulfilling my requests." He motioned for me to sit down. "We need to talk, sweetie."

His careful tone made me feel guilty and slightly sad.

"Why didn't you tell me - or anyone in fact - that you were an orphan?" he asked me in a low, gentle tone.

I pursed my lips at the sympathy. "Onew...oppa, I'm still an orphan."

"You never knew your parents?" he ventured, tethering his fingers together.

My gaze was downcasted. "Onew-oppa...I never considered who my parents might be. For all my life, I shied away from ever thinking about these two people who sired me. To me, it was more like I suddenly woke up as a young child at an orphanage. But, Ayano, my caretaker who I care for, told me I appeared at the doorstep of her orphanage when I was four, saying I was just lying there in the rain, wearing nothing but a robe. No one left a note, or stayed to explain. I was just...there. When I was slightly older, she questioned me if I had remembered about my arrival. I told her the first thing I remembered was waking up in the bed she assigned to me, seeing her worried face. I'm sure I didn't find the orphanage by myself but I don't know the answer. My past is full of unanswered questions, and my roots is just a blank canvas."

We were quiet after I confessed. I shed no tears for I didn't know the reason why I should.

Suddenly Onew stood up, crossed to my side, and hugged me tightly. I was surprised, but it was comforting, like embracing an older brother.

"Mianhae," he whispered. "I'm sorry you had to tell me and I'm sorry you have nothing to cry about." Of course Onew could sense I had nothing to weep for, because of his powers. For that, I was grateful. It made him very understanding.

"Not really," I mumbled in his chest. "I have Taemin and SHINee. And I always had the orphanage. Ayano...Yuki..."

He pulled away to survey my withdrawn face. "Were you happy at the orphanage?" he asked me softly.

I nodded, trying for a small smile. "Ne. My best friend, Yuki, was the most caring and hardworking person I've ever met. And Ayano is like my halmeoni. I loved taking care of the kids because they're like my precious dongsaengs, and even now I think about them."

Onew poked my nose with a supportive smile, his slitted eyes forming into adorable crescents. "Well, now you have a soulmate, an umma, an appa, and two oppas. Welcome to the SHINee family."

I blurted out a laugh. "Y-you're so cute, Onew-oppa! Hahaha!"

"Taemin's not the only cute person," defended Onew. "And seriously, I have full guardianship over you...well after all the paperwork is finished."

"Komawo, oppa," I told him sincerely. "But...don't tell the rest of them yet. I wanna do that on my own, especially when Taemin goes crazy when I'm not truthful to him."

"Understood," agreed Onew. He held out his hand towards me. "Wanna see the story I made up for you?"

I rolled my eyes and took his bare hand with mine.

...

Onew finally departed for college after making sure my counselor was back to normal and I had an excuse to head back to class.

When it was gym, Soojin wanted to play the American version of ultimate football (not soccer).

I did not miss the sneers and glares she directed at me.

"Aish, that girl needs to chill," Jae muttered, re-tying her long hair in a ponytail. "If you can play basketball, what about football?"

I pursed my lips. "I am very smart when it comes to chasing because I tend to chase kids a lot. But I get tired easy and I don't like tackling..."

"We're going have to keep our guard up," admonished Eunmi. "Soojin's friends are going to tackle us head-on."

I groaned in dismay. "We're going to have to bait her friends and someone has to be back-up."

"Partnering up?" suggested Jae reasonably.

We formatted a basic plan, and when the coach ordered us to pick a team, we just split off evenly, like it was war.

Blue team - my team - had the football first. Everyone reacted and chased after Jae who ran for dear life, which was easy with her long legs. Eunmi was her back-up and screamed, "Jae-unni!"

Jae threw the ball, it sailed in the air, people blocked Eunmi.

But the ball flew over their heads and landed in my hands. Since I was clear, I sprinted to the other side, my back-up and some others guarding me.

I scored.

Every teammate I passed by gave me exultant high-fives or pounded my back (which made me skittish). They were excited for the great start.

"Get it together!" hissed Soojin at her friends fiercely. "Watch them and bring them down when you see a chance!"

The next half hour was stressful.

After my first turning-point, Soojin's friend chased the best players on the team which included me and Jae. We were worn to the bone, our lungs burning and sweat trickling down our foreheads.

I watched with wide-eyes as Jae tried to catch the football and someone on the red team tackled her roughly, sprawling both of them on the grass. I think I heard Jae grunt in displeasure as if she was elbowed.

Eunmi ran to her cousin. "Jae-unni!" She fretfully checked for injuries.

Jae sat up, only rubbing her shoulder. "I'm fine. The grass broke my fall."

Eunmi and I glared at Soojin who was snickering and pointing.

Red's turn with the ball. Soojin - for once - snagged the ball and ran. Reds converged around her but blues swatted them aside.

"Get her!" Jae cried out to me since I was closer. It was a warning. The game was tied and Soojin would win if she scored.

I forced the muscles in my legs to shoot me forward. Soojin saw my approach and tried to sidestep, but I knew she would like a fleeting child, and tackled her.

The ball didn't touch the touchdown area and my back-up quickly snatched the ball and ran off.

"GET OFF ME!" hissed Soojin and kneed me purposely in the stomach.

"Oof!" I rolled away from her, clutching at my stomach.

"Nerd," she spat those words at me and flounced away.

"Alaina?" Eunmi knelt at my side and helped me sit up. "You okay?"

"I'm - fine," I gasped hoarsely, feeling my stomach ache and wither. "Just need - a breather."

We heard cheering on the other side and saw our team jumping up and down in victory. We smiled as Jae and everyone dashed back to us mirthfully.

"We won!" shouted someone.

"Great tackle, Alaina-ssi!" someone complimented.

Jae also knelt at my side in concern. "You okay, kid?"

I smiled warily at her. "I know we're in the same grade and I'm younger, but don't call me kid."

Jae chuckled and helped me up. My back-up player, Kyungmi, and Jae supported my weight on their shoulders. They helped me limp to the coach, but the coach sent me to the nurse's. Eunmi stayed behind to gather my stuff and Jae's.

In the nurse's patient room, the women checked over me as I shifted uncomfortably, uneasy when strangers touched me. When the women pulled up my shirt to inspect the damage, I heard a hiss from behind the curtain.

"Where is she?" demanded Taemin's voice.

I immediately pulled down my shirt just in the nick of time as the curtain was swept back. Taemin, Key, Minho were staring at me in worry and shock, Eunmi, Jae, and Kyungmi behind them. Eunmi looked apologetic.

"Mianhae," she said to me feebly, "Taemin-ssi found me in the hallway and demanded where you were."

Taemin was at my side. "Where are you hurt?"

"Her stomach has a dark bruise and she has a small scrape on her knee," informed the nurse. "I'll go get an ice pack." She turned around and left.

Taemin whispered to me, "It was Soojin, wasn't it? I saw it."

I sighed and nodded mutely. I looked at Jae for a change in conversation. "How are you, unni? About your shoulder?"

She smiled warily. "A bruise is a price to pay for a hard-earned victory. It feels sore."

"So do my legs," complained Kyungmi, slumping into a chair. I could see dozen of scrapes on her.

"I think you all have injuries," Key assessed, eying us with precision.

The nurse needed assistance tending to us injured girls. The boys obliged helpfully. Taemin helped the nurse with me since I was the most inflicted. Key took care of Jae and Eunmi, and Minho aided Kyungmi.

"What did you girls play in gym this time?" said the nurse disapprovingly. She had to wrap one of those hot-cool pads around my stomach to lessen the bruising and ease the pain. Jae also had one around her shoulder.

"Ultimate football," we chorused. Then Kyungmi grinned. "We keep winning in Soojin's little games." She and Jae bumped fists.

Key's lips twitched a smile. "Nice."

"We should've been there," said Minho and looked at me. "I wanted to see Alaina trample Soojin's pride."

I felt Taemin tense beside me. I knew what he was thinking. If he had been there, he wouldn't have let me get hurt.

"Can I be excused from class?" I asked the nurse in a worn voice. "I don't think I can even eat. My stomach feels rocky."

"Me, too?" beseeched Jae. "My teachers won't mind if I miss one day. It's only two more classes. And I could keep Alaina company."

"We can take Alaina home, though," objected Taemin.

Key and I shot him an authoritative glare. "You're not missing class," we said to him in unison.

Taemin huffed, jutting out his lips in a pout.

Everyone filed out before lunch could end. Taemin had to be persuaded by me and dragged out by Key to leave. When they did, I carefully changed into my school uniform. The nurse brought me some food that should be easy for my stomach.

"So..." Jae began slowly, sitting in the chair by my bed.

I glanced at her confusedly. "So what?"

"What's between you and Lee Taemin?"

My eyes widened. "W-what?"

Jae grinned at me, seeing through my guarded eyes. "I'm not stupid, even Eunmi noticed. Taemin-ssi was overly dramatic about you. The way he ran into the room and wanted to see if you okay." She looked at me speculatively. "The way he stared at you...it was like he didn't want to look away from your face like...you would disappear."

"You're the one sounding over dramatic," I joked but I glanced down at my left hand. Jae couldn't see the tattoo but I felt too attentive of it, always covering it with my sleeve. My hand crept to my necklace, rubbing it habitually.

Jae saw the movement. "Ooh, did Taemin give you that?"

I blushed. "Aniyo! My friend back home did!" I defended myself in overreaction.

"Was it a guy?"

"...Ne."

"A cute guy?"

I shifted uneasily. "You can say that."

"Do you have feelings for him?"

"Jae..."

"Alaina, tell me! I can see you don't speak girl."

"Ne, the language of 'girl' is foreign to me. I only know basic normalcy."

Jae snorted at my dry sense of humor. "Alaina, whatever it is, my experience in 'girl' also tells me you care for Lee Taemin."

I blubbered, "J-Jae, please just drop it."

"Not if you tell me," she insisted.

"He-he and I...care for each other because...we're bound together like that."

Jae's eyes sparkled. "Like arranged married?"

I bit my bottom lip. I was giving out too much information. "Close."

Jae clapped her hands gleefully. "That's soooo romantic!"

I pointed at her heedingly. "You can't tell a soul!"

She locked her lips. "Promise. I won't even tell Eunmi."

I leaned back into the propped up pillows. I breathed in and out, needing to meditate.

"So...is Onew really your cousin?"

"Jae!"

...