*Re-edited version 10/27/12*

I meant to do a double update yesterday, but this chapter needed so much editing and clean-up so I waited until the next day. It looks like we're having more EXO! Read to find out! Thanks for the comments and subscriptions, they keep me going. About my other story, 'Maknae Love' I kinda have the next chapter finished, but it needs re-editing and the last part. Please continue to support me! I love you all! P.S. next chapter might have more EXO in it!

(Onew’s POV)

The load of problems and sticky situations only triggered more of Onew’s unquenchable curiosity and urge to learn.

It was true when Key said he was busy researching, but they don’t know what exactly.

Onew read from conserved books and articles they’ve imported from the Reversed World. He also researched on his advanced M-Tech computer (that he had for safe keeping) for myths and unusual tidbits of news. He researched the Peacemaker, lost wanderers of the Reversed World, the files of Portal Transactors, any disorder with Portal travels, missing people…

It was an extensive and time-consuming chore he put upon himself. Onew would immediately come straight home from the university, breeze through his schoolwork, and then disappear into his office for long hours, all alone, just to eat up information off all kinds, hoping for an answer, hoping for a clue. Key or Minho would drop by to give him something to eat or just check up on him. But with his limited use of resources and the confined files on the Peacemaker, Onew only found tiny pieces of interesting facts and hints. When it was nearing midnight, Onew would finally call it a day and head to bed, his mind bustling with questions, trying to find a missing link.

All of this mind-exhausting research was for Alaina.

Upon first meeting, Onew had been intrigued and captivated by her. But now, after discovering her background story and having all this impending danger gravitating around her, he wanted to dig up some truth to help her. Alaina was part of the family, Taemin’s soulmate of course, but now she was his younger cousin, his little dongsaeng.

Onew had first suspected that demons were revolving themselves around Alaina because of her flickering and attractive Essence. It was very special and strange. Alaina’s ES was like a light switch, one minute it was , ES pulsing everywhere, and then the switch turned off, her ES silent and unlocative. Perhaps another power of Alaina’s affiliated with ES?

Alaina was indeed a strong Mentalist, but only a novice, but because Onew was afraid what would happen if the spell wore off when she learned more.

Yes, Onew had detected the spell, but wasn’t for certain until one of the times he had held her hand when her ES reacted to him, and then used a Reader to determine what was lingering on his fingertips from the girl. The Reader confirmed it was a long-lasting protection spell, a very strong one at that, one formulated to cloak a person’s scent and ES control, but it was slowly ebbing away. Onew had noticed every since she’s been living with them and beginning her basic studies, the spell began fading faster and faster. That wasn’t a good sign. Who put the spell on her in the first place? Did anyone else notice? Key didn’t even say anything and he was one of the best spell casters.

Because of his inquisitive nature, Onew gave himself too many headaches.

Currently, he had to be the leader again and help out Alaina with her demon stalking problem. He had this simple plan to have Taemin by her side all the time. The next morning, he would be talking to the front office lady to do some persuading.

Not much of a challenge with his gifted voice control powers, persuading was more like receiving.
 

…

(Alaina’s POV)

I had some sleep last night, but the dark nightmare I had been caged in still elicited shivers from me. It was so dark that I even woken up woodenly to stare at my soulmate’s sleeping face in the dimmer, less scary darkness.

Onew accompanied us to school that morning. Just a couple simple requests and Taemin officially had all classes with me. From an outsider’s view, they would wonder how in the world it was possible, but brushed it off, seeing as his catalyst to see me every hour.

Onew sure used his powers very…adequately.

So the protection detail was initiated.

Key had discreetly set up an invisible barrier looming over the campus; it would alert him if anyone with Essence content was invading or within the area.

So he could watch me from a broader range, Taemin would always snag the seat behind me, also sending the message ‘stay away’ to anyone he didn’t approve of.

That mostly meant Zelo.
 

…
 

“Other than us, there is someone with ES content on campus, and this person hides it well,” murmured Key, disturbed by the conclusion. “I can sense it once in a while.”

We were discussing about the ‘demon intruder’ at our lunch table in low, hushed voices so neither Jae or Eunmi couldn’t overhear us.

“Zelo?” inquired Minho.

Key nodded. “Most highly. I think he is evasive of us, but we’ll find out why he’s after Alaina soon.”

I had noticed how Zelo would avoid populous areas. Was he outside?

“Do you think he wants something of me?” I asked in a small voice.

“He’ll never get anything from you,” assured Taemin, since his arm was slung over my chair, he squeezed my shoulder comfortingly.

“Are you going to confront him?” I asked a little louder.

The three of them exchanged glances, debating. “Possibly…” replied Key uncertainly. “But we need some information from him. I want to corner him outside of school but we don’t know where he goes.”

Something rang in my head. “I think I have an idea,” I blurted out impulsively.

They narrowed their eyes at me. “What kind of plan?” Minho asked, interested.

I faltered. “I-I’ll tell you when we get home – where it’s more private.”

Taemin nodded amiably. “That would be best.”

During the last two hours was no picnic, it was because Zelo was in those classes. Since Taemin stole his original seat behind me, Zelo was now sitting next to Taemin. In class, they mentally squared off in their heads, glaring and sneering at each other. Even our fellow students were affected by the tense atmosphere, shifting uncomfortably. The teachers stuttered and rambled through their lectures, not sure whether or not to intervene between the boys.

Eunmi shot me a confounded look, asking what was going on, but I only shook my head at her and sighed.

“You seriously need to stop glaring at him,” I told Taemin as we walked through the parking lot, holdings hands. “Don’t provoke him to attack. If you start another ruckus in school, I don’t think the principal will be so adamant with his next choice of punishment.”

“I don’t like him,” mumbled Taemin sullenly, gaze casted down. “He keeps staring at you like you’re something to eat.”

Since we were hand-locked, I forced him to halt and twist around to look at me. “Taemin,” I said exasperatedly, “calm down. He did nothing threatening to me – yet. I’m fine, araso?” I sighed since Taemin was so quiet. “Listen, you’re not yourself. I know you hate Zelo unconditionally, but at least, be yourself around me? Smile?” To prove my point, I smiled at him gently.

Taemin stared at me until his lips twitched, fighting a grin at my efforts to cheer him up. He leaned forward to press his lips at my forehead.

“What did I do to deserve someone as caring as you?”

I chuckled once. “You saved my life, babo.”

…

(Zelo’s POV)

That pesky, annoying, little vermin of a guardian! Everytime he tried to get closer to Alaina, Taemin effectively blocked his way. It was no avail as long as the guardian was around – Zelo couldn’t ‘befriend’ Alaina. He would have to find a way to get rid of him…
 

…

(Alaina’s POV)

At the house, when we all assembled for a meeting to listen to my proposal, I was immediately was objected by Key and Taemin. Very strongly.

“NO WAY!” Key gnashed his teeth together. “I. Don’t. Like. It. It’s too risky.”

“But…it sounds potent enough to draw him out,” said Jonghyun, siding with me. Key glared at him.

Taemin disliked the plan so much he didn’t say anything, only tightening his hold on me. My shoulders slumped at his rejectful expression.

“What happened if we added numbers as reinforcement?” suggested Minho, mulling over my idea.

“But we don’t want anyone else to be suspicious of Alaina,” cut in Onew. “They might report her to the Council and they’ll immediately seize her for questioning and keep us on suspension for not telling them.”

“Not someone from Exo or Leeteuk from Super Junior,” defended Jonghyun. I recalled those as some of the other guardian groups. I listened more intently.

Taemin brightened at the mention of Exo. “Yeah, let’s call for Exo’s help! They’ll never betray us unless they hear our side of the story!”

Onew fiddled with his hands, contemplating deeply. “I don’t know…”

“How about only half of them?” suggested Taemin, still stuck on the notion. “Exo-K? They’re more understanding and less intimidating.”

“Six of them plus the five of us?” mused Key, calmer. “That sounds better…”

Taemin scratched his head sheepishly. “And – um – I might’ve told Jongin about Alaina…”

“WHAT!” shouted his hyungs, actually Onew only shook his head in exasperation. I blushed scarlet when I finally realized why Taemin was so silly and slaphappy when texting someone while always looking at me affectionately.

“That’s it, I’m taking your phone again,” Key scolded, hand out. Taemin sighed and handed his mobile over.

Minho rubbed the ridge of his nose. “Taemin and Kai can never keep secrets from each other…”

"At least we have friends with special powers who'll support us," said Taemin confidently. "If we can get Exo-K's support, then I'm all for the plan."

"I'm with Taemin if he'll agree to my plan," I chipped in wholeheartedly.

The older four peered at each other for some compromise. Minho nodded, Jonghyun grinned, Onew sighed, and Key rolled his eyes.

"I'll figure out a way to explain them our...predicament without raising alarm," decided Onew finally. Taemin and I breathed a relieved breath and smiled at each other. "When will we initiate the plan?"

"I'll draft it out into stages," I told him. "Maybe we can slowly build on it starting tomorrow."

"Then I'll contact Exo-K's leader soon," confirmed Onew. He met Taemin's gaze. "Wanna help with this, Taem? It was your idea to get them involved."

"They won't regret helping us," said Taemin positively. "And I don't regret wanting to tell them. Kai said he was jealous I found my soulmate." He hugged me closer and I laughed, still pink-cheeked.

"Looks like Alaina will be meeting another soulmate pair," said Jonghyun, smiling, and pulling Key closer to him on the couch.

My eyes widened. "Two people in Exo-K are bonded?"

Jonghyun winked at me. "I'm not telling you who, though. I'd rather you guess. They've only bonded when their group was being formed about two decades ago."

Now I really wanted to meet Exo-K. Aside from Jongkey, I wondered what other soulmate pairs there were. Key had said Jonghyun had been together for a while now, a couple of decades at least. I stared fondly at my tattoo ring, growing attached to it now. I wondered how long Taemin and I would be together.

Onew stood up. "Taemin, come with me. I'll be setting up the video chat with Suho." Taemin patted my back and smiled at me sunnily - I felt happy seeing him more cheerful - and he pranced over to his leader's side. "Minho and Jonghyun, tutor Alaina on her Inhuman studies. Key, you might want to start cooking dinner."

"Chicken?" inquired Key, standing up, brow raised.

Onew grinned as he walked out of the room with Taemin. "What else?"

I felt better knowing we had some reliable help, because all this worry about taking down Zelo was stressing me out, everyone's emotions pulsing with tension and concern. I couldn't wait to meet other guardians, and couldn't wait to thank them.
 

...

(Onew's POV)

Taemin waited patiently in a chair as Onew set and assorted the video chat. He had sent a message to Suho - Exo-K's leader - about ten minutes ago and finally received a reply back. On the computer screen, a video feed of a handsome, young man with white skin, dark hair, and mahogany eyes appeared, his expression as calm and gentle as ever.

Suho nodded with a pleasant smile. "Annyeong, Onew-hyung. Oh, annyeong to you, too, Taemin-ah."

Taemin waved politely (cutely). Onew greeted back.

"So what's this important request of yours, hyung?" asked Suho.

"Can you promise not to tell anyone else until needed and to keep it a secret?" Onew beseeched of him first.

Suho's forehead creased from Onew's seriousness. "Nothing dangerous or...stupid, is it?"

"Slightly, depending on your definition of dangerous and stupid," Taemin said.

Suho blinked. "Looks like I have no choice since I do owe you guys back then from the academy. You've helped me a lot so I'll return the favor."

"Well, first off, where's Kai?" asked Taemin. "He'll want to know and has a clue already. Key-umma took up my phone again."

Suho chuckled goodnaturedly. "Taemin-ah, you and Jongin are like children. I'll call for him." Suho dialed Kai's number on his phone, waited for him to pick up, and said, "I'm talking to Onew-hyung and Taemin-ah on a video chat. They want you present. Ne, ne, you can teleport over. I'm in my office." Suho hung up. Taemin and Onew heard a whooshing, grinding sound and Suho glanced up from the screen. He beckoned someone over.

"What's up, Taemin?" Kai grinned as he appeared on screen.

"The sky," joked Taemin and they both laughed.

"Guys..." warned the leaders, eying their dongsaengs. Taemin and Kai quickly sobered up.

"Kai's here, so what now?" Suho asked.

Taemin held up his left hand. "Look."

Suho's eyes widened in surprise. Kai raised a brow, wondering why Taemin was exposing a secret and why Onew was allowing him to.

"You're bonded now?" Suho narrowed his eyes to inspect Taemin's ring-like tattoo closer. "To who? It couldn't be from anyone in SHINee because it would've happened a long time ago."

"To a girl we've just met over two and a half weeks ago," explained Onew. "This is where you have to keep her presence a secret. You see, she claims, that all her life, she's been human, but her powers and ES possession says otherwise. We've been tutoring her and protecting her from dangers ever since. We're afraid the Council might take her away for investigation."

Taemin stiffened at the thought.

"And Kai is here for what reason then?" Suho wanted to know.

Onew pinched Taemin's cheek. "Because this little kid couldn't wait to brag."

"Ow!"

Kai snickered.

Suho looked at Kai inquiringly, the younger boy cleared his throat awkwardly.

"What? Taemin-hyung told me his soulmate had to be kept 'under the radar.'"

The leaders decided they would reprimand their dongsaengs later and turned their attention back to the matter at hand.

"So what's wrong? You seem worried," guessed Suho.

Taemin grumbled bitterly, "There's another demon after my soulmate. A high-ranked one. He's always so close and seems to be preying after her. We want to take him out, but we can't during school, and we can't find him after school. It's likes he disappears."

"Can he teleport?" Kai tilted his head curiously like a cat.

Onew shook his head. "Key says that since this demon can control his ES very well, he just slips out of the barrier he has over the school. We usually don't track by scent either and Taemin can't predict where the demon's going because he's smart enough to redirect the course of a forecast."

"What a bugger," Kai muttered.

"So what are you going to do to confront him?" Suho questioned.

Taemin exhaled tiredly. "You see, my soulmate has this idea, but none us are willing to proceed if we don't have some help."

"'Help' as in us?" Kai's eyes gleamed at the notion of squaring off with a demon. "I'm in, especially if I can finally meet your soulmate~"

Taemin stuck his tongue out at his best friend.

"What's the plan?" Suho asked of Onew while their dongsaengs made provoking faces at each other.

Onew told him and added, "It's not full-proof, but it's a good way to lure him out. We just want more surveillance regarding Alaina's safety and the demon's whereabouts."

"Her name is Alaina? How traditional," commented Suho kindly.

Taemin smiled. "I know, right? She's perfect."

"Bleh," Kai gagged at Taemin's lovey-doveyness.

"Anyway," Onew enunciated, "I know it's asking a lot - just for you to drop everything and come - but could you move to Seoul and aid us? You can move into our house since we have enough space."

Suho and Kai glanced at each other. Kai shrugged. "I'm willing to help. We usually don't encounter demons here in Busan, and I wasn't kidding when I said I wanted to meet Alaina."

Suho pursed his lips. "But we have to ask the rest of the guys. And to leave our base here in Busan...wouldn't other groups or those from the Communication HQ be wondering why we're jumping cities so suddenly?"

"Just tell them you're helping us dispose of a high-ranked demon," said Onew, "and we might even find if he has any accomplices and take them out as well."

Kai clapped his hand in conclusion. "Alright, that sounds reasonable. Can we go now?"

Suho smacked the back of Kai's head. "Not everyone can whimsically appear place to place without care," he chided.

Kai nursed his wound, pouting as Taemin laughed.

"We'll explain more about Alaina and the rest of the plan when you arrive," Onew confirmed. "How long will it take you to finalize your move and get here?"

"At least two days," said Suho. "We'll be as quick as we can."

Onew nodded. "Thank you for your understanding, Suho. We really care about Alaina. I made her my little cousin." He grinned.

Suho laughed comically. "You and your devious powers, hyung. I'll see you in two days time, hold off the demon until then. I'll contact you if I need anything."

"Bye, Taeminnie~" Kai waved playfully and Taemin returned the gesture. Onew exited out of the video chat.
 

...