*Red-edited version 10/20/12*

Yay, another update! Thanks for all my lovely, devoted readers. Please leave comments or subscribe. If you want more Taena (TaeminxAlaina), try reading my other fic, 'Maknae Love', but it's not supernatural or will have EXO until the far future. What kind of EXO pairs do you like? Now, if you excuse me, I gotta exercise before I all that ice cream gets to me. XD

(Alaina's POV)

Like every night, my dreams captured me with its magic touch.

I was standing - maybe treading on air - somewhere where all around me was like the brilliance of a galaxy. Think of being in a virtual room with swirls of white wisps and twinkling dots of stars and a colorful background.

My child.

...And a voice.

I raised my head at the whisper. "What? Who's there?" I called out.

I have no physical body, my dear. I am all around you.

"Um..." How should I respond to that?

"Who are you?" I asked finally, scanning my surroundings. Just the same enchanting space of eye-catching colors.

You know who I am, sweetie. But I am here to talk to you. I know you have just bonded to your soulmate.

"Y-you know about my soulmate? About Taemin?" I was bewildered.

I created the magic behind the ritual. Of course I would know, little one.

Apparently the voice liked giving me pet names and knew abnormal things.

There's something special about you, something that will surprise you and your beloved. Your destiny was always meant to cross with his - it was written before you were born. You understand that your soulmate and his friends are not human, and neither are you.

"I kinda guessed that."

I warn you that as you learn about Guardians and the Reversed World, be wary. Your life is in grave danger. The more you know, the more the protection spell casted on you will dissipate.

"I have a spell casted on me?" I glanced at my body but could feel nothing out of the ordinary. "How's that possible? Who put the spell on me without me knowing?"

The spell was casted by me, long ago. You were aware of it but was not consciously alert. It was to hide your presence, but it did not conceal your scent which attracted a demon to attack you. Everything about you, your appearance, your voice, your touch, even your scent causes anyone from the Reversed World to react to you. You can see that clearly from when you interacted with SHINee.

"They seemed suspicious of me at first when I didn't know the reason," I recalled. "Why is it that humans aren't affected by me?"

Although Essence is everywhere, humans are shrouded by it, they were not born with it. Everyone in the Reversed World is born with Essence.

"What's so important about Essence?"

It is the particle of life and energy. Powers and magic in the Reversed World first started with a reaction of Essence.

"Do I have Essence? Does that mean I was part of the Reversed World?" I asked desperately. Answers were so close, but so many questions overwhelmed me.

Yes, Essence clings to you very closely. But since you were not aware of it, the Essence in your body contradicts with your gifts, making them unstable and unrestricted. It is the reason why when you touch other people, or any living thing, your powers react. Once you maintain the Essence within you, you won't have to worry about seeing other people's memories or feel their emotions.

"How do you know all this? How did you get into my dream?" I grew frustrated despite the answers.

I am someone very important in the Reversed World, but so are you.

The scene around us blurred like a bad reception on TV.

This connection is very hard to maintain. He stirs in his slumber, knowing you are alive once again.

"Wait, don't leave. I still need more answers!" I pleaded. "Who knows I'm alive?"

The monster who wants to extract revenge. His minions are after you, my dear child. Be careful.

The universe flipped upside down and went black.

...

I gasped, my eyes snapping open. I was back in reality, in bed with my soulmate.

Since I was trapped in his embrace, Taemin stirred at my jolting movement. "Hmm? Alaina? You okay?"

I was breathing faintly. "Ne," I whispered, my eyes swimming from my disorienting dream. "What time is it?"

Taemin craned his neck to check the time. "We still have an hour and a half left." He settled back into his relaxed position, lips at the crown of my head. I could feel he was still tired. "Go back to sleep..."

I tried to go back to sleep but my mind was buzzing with running thoughts. I could barely remember what had occurred in my dream. A galaxy around me...a womanly voice...some hopelessness and anguish...

His minions are after you, my dear child. Be careful.

...

Taemin and I officially woke up forty minutes later to prepare for school. It was cute seeing Taemin all disheveled, his blond locks sticking out in random places. He positively beamed when I grabbed a comb to help brush his hair. It reminded me the days back at the orphanage, assisting little kids.

"What do you want for breakfast?" I asked him when he stumbled into the kitchen. "I can whip up something..."

He smiled. "Anything is fine."

Taemin sat in a chair and watched me intently as I diligently cooked breakfast for two.

"You make good a wife," he sighed happily. "Good thing you're mine."

My cheeks colored as I cooked. "About the bond...does that automatically make me your wife?"

"I love the idea of being married to you, but it's not official in human terms, although I think it's because it's not written on paper. We already have our wedding rings..."

I stared at the tattoo on my ring finger and sighed. Frankly, I would rather have an actually ring than a tattoo. I understood how severe and permanent the bond meant, but I hated the idea of always having a tattoo. You had to grow old with a tattoo.

Slim arms wrapped around my waist, a cheek pressed against the side of my head, my back held against a chest.

"Do you hate it the fact that I'm bonded to you?" Taemin murmured, sounding close to being heartbroken. If his heart was aching for the truth, so did mine.

"Ani," I whispered gently, "I'm still getting used to it. It did happen suddenly you know, not exactly the best proposal in the world."

"I love you anyway, bond or not. I believe you're my soulmate because I say so."

He was telling his truth, and it made me smile happily.

"Taemin, I know you're already in love with me, but I'm not sure about myself. Give me some time to find myself to say those words back to you when I really acknowledge it. Araso?"

Taemin nuzzled his cheek in my hair. "I'll wait forever if I have to."

I chuckled. "Taemin, get some plates from the cabinets, please."

"Ne, yeobo."

...

When Taemin and I had just finished breakfast and washed the dishes, I saw Taemin pause, his eyes looking faraway, then he paled.

An impatient knock on the door interrupted the peace.

Taemin gulped. He knew who was on the other side of the door. And it wasn't pretty (actually, it was, but not in a literal sense).

I sighed and turned off the sink. "I'll go get the door."

The second I unlocked the door, a raging figure flew in. It charged straight to a frightened Taemin who backed away.

Key grabbed Taemin roughly by the shoulders and shook the boy manically. "LEE TAEMIN! DON'T YOU EVER SNEAK OFF LIKE THAT AGAIN!"

I reached out to squeeze Key's shoulder (I was griping at his blazer), hissing, "Key, I have neighbors."

Hearing my warning, Key's red-angry face stopped steaming, but he still clutched Taemin's shirt front tightly. The boy was trying to not appear scared by his hyung.

A chuckle from the doorway made me turn around. Minho was leaning against the frame, amused.

"You should've seen it when Kibum found Taemin gone," he said to me, his lip twitching a smile, "it was hilarious."

When Key was done scolding Taemin, he glanced between the two of us. "You guys...didn't do anything last night did you?"

"Do what?" we echoed.

Key and Minho shared raised brows. "They didn't do anything," they agreed.

"Kaja, I got the car outside," stated Key and I locked my door as everyone filed out.

"Wait a second!" I blurted out before we could get into the car. The boys stared at me confusedly. I hesitated before explaining my outburst, "What would everyone at school think when I, the newbie, come to school with three of the most popular students in school, aka, you three."

"Easy," scoffed Taemin, "you're my girlfriend."

"Taemin."

"Why not?" He frowned at my perplexed expression.

"Your girlfriend after my first day? People will get suspicious. And you have fangirls that would love to murder me when they find out."

"She has a point," Minho slipped in.

Key tapped his fingers on the car roof as he contemplated. "How about...her family are old friends of mine and they wanted us to hang out. I had introduced you to SHINee and we became great friends."

My heart dropped when Key had said 'her family' when I didn't actually have a family, but it was because he didn't know my background.

"I'm not sure..." I mumbled dubiously. "When people find out the truth, they'll want to torture me."

"How about Onew, our leader, is your long lost cousin?" Minho suggested. "No one will question that. It'll make your connection with us more close."

"I like that better," I admitted tentatively. "I really should meet my long lost cousin soon." And they all laughed at my rare humor.

"Alright, kaja!" Taemin cheered.

...

Back then, I remember reading this one book where the most ordinary yet not-so-ordinary girl had fell in love with a vampire. The vampire had the looks, the money, everything. And when the girl had arrived to school with her beloved vampire in a modern car amongst trashy ones, she was gawked at by everyone.

I was that girl today.

Like a gentlemen, Taemin opened my door and helped me out. He grinned at my skittish behavior. I was surrounded by the youngest three members of SHINee as we paraded through the parking lot. Did I ever mention how I stood out because I wasn't as gorgeous and shining as these boys?

I wanted to melt into the concrete and die.

"Isn't that the new girl with SHINee?"

"How did this happen?"

"Who in the hell does she think she is?"

SHINee escorted me to homeroom and sat in our respectful seats. I wanted to jump into a rabbit hole seeing all the glares and wide-eyed expression directed at me.

One fangirl was brave enough to strut into SHINee's bubble, shooting me a sneer and fluttering her lashes seductively at her idols. She tried to give them her best, glossy-lipped smile.

"Key-oppa," she basically purred like a cat, "why did you drive the new girl to school today? You never give us - I mean - other people rides."

Key's feline eyes were hard but he smiled like nothing was wrong. "Our leader wanted us to his cousin to school, that's all."

Gasps rang throughout the room. I ducked my head bashfully.

"Onew-oppa has a cousin!?" the fangirl griped incredulously. "But the new girl is Japanese and Onew-oppa is Korean. How is that-"

"They're distant cousins," Minho tacked in simply, leaning back into his seat. "Onew-hyung adores his cousin and would hate it if something happened to her." Minho winked at me and I couldn't help but smile back.

Taemin saw that and shot his hyung a sour look.

I gotta pay them back somehow, I thought, feeling guilty that they were fabricating a story to protect me while I just sat by quietly.

The fangirl huffed, flicked her dyed hair back, and tramped back to her circle of fans. They all glowered at me poisonously. I could feel the tension in the room and I swallowed uneasily. Thank goodness the bell rang and the stern homeroom teacher stomped in.

During class, Taemin didn't feel motivated to listen to the teacher drone so he slipped me a note.

I'm bored, do you want to ditch next period?

I widened my eyes at his question and wrote down my answer.

No.

Why not? Ditching is fun, especially when the teacher is teaching something I already know.

Remind why you and the rest of SHINee are in school? How long do people in the Reversed World live?

The first question I don't think my hyungs would want me to tell you, and the second, we live pretty long. I've been eighteen for a while now.

My forehead creased. If guardians lived for a long time and didn't age as fast, how come I aged?

Nevermind then, what about your powers? Key said mine was pretty rare.

It's hard to explain mine, but I will when I have time.

What about your hyungs?

I would suggest never messing with Onew-hyung because he can make you do whatever he wants, and you wouldn't even feel mad about it if he wanted you to be. Key-umma's is kinda mind-blowing - he has to show you. Jonghyun-hyung's is very annoying and Minho-hyung's is hard to get around to.

Afraid to tell me clearly?

The teacher will walk down our aisle in ten seconds. Hide the note.

I slipped the note in my blazer sleeve and pretended to skim through my paper as the teacher stroded down the aisle just like Taemin predicted. Taemin sent me a smile when he saw my amazed expression.

I knew it, you can see the future.

It's more like I can see a teaser of the future. It's called prognostication, I can see everything that will happen in about ten seconds. How did you know?

When you were chasing me, you would take different turns without thinking and your eyes become hazy when you saw something.

It helps when I fight or need to be forewarned, but if a person who was fighting me was fast and counteractive, my prognostication would only show me being beaten. I still need to work on it, I'm not the best Mentalist.

Mentalist?

You'll learn it when you learn it.

The bell rung and I stuffed all my papers in my bag. Taemin, Key, and Minho politely waited for me.

"So when do I get guardian lessons?" I whispered as we walked down the hallway together. We ignored the pointing and gossiping. "I hope it doesn't interfere with my work schedule. I have to go to work today too."

"We'll think of something," assured Key. "Oh! And my soulmate and leader wants to meet you soon! Minho talked to leader about you yesterday. He's really curious about you."

"And he has to officially meet his cousin," joked Minho.

"Maybe during the weekend," I suggested, tugging nervously at my schoolbag strap. I was excited to learn about my mystical self but wary of SHINee all together.

Taemin had the next few classes with me, so no one dared approach me, but when it was gym, I was separated from him. I stopped all conversation in the changing room.

"Er..." I ducked my head and went to my locker. Conversations lit up slowly. I hastily switched into my gym clothes.

I felt them standing behind me without turning around. They didn't mean harm...yet.

The head girl was a dyed strawberry blonde, her arms crossed, her eyes darkened with eyeliner and mascara.

"You're Akiyama Alaina?" she asked, saying my name as if it was garbage, and continued when I nodded mutely, "So how is Onew-oppa you're cousin?"

Clearing my throat, I began slowly, "Onew...oppa's umma is actually my umma's cousin. So second cousins." I smiled feebly.

"When was the last time you've seen him?" huffed the girl, dissatisfied at my reply.

"I hadn't seen him but I did talk to him over the phone...yesterday. He says he wants to see me again soon," I replied weakly.

The girl pointed a daring finger in my face, her face icy. "Fine then, you're Onew-oppa's cousin, but don't you think to use your connection with just to get closer to SHINee."

"They're my best friends," I whispered.

She grabbed my collar angrily. "You better be just friends or else you'll be nothing when I'm through with you." She shoved me back roughly, my back hitting my locker. The strawberry blonde and her friends strutted off, and I sighed blearily.

"Are you okay?" a soft, shy voice asked me.

I glanced up to meet a girl staring at me worriedly. She had her long hair in a braid and wore glasses.

I straightened up and nodded. "I'm fine. Who are you?"

"My name is Jung Eunmi," she told me. "I-I'm in your homeroom and last period, too."

I bowed my head formally, causing Eunmi to blush. "Nice to meet you. Mianhae if I never noticed you."

"Does your back hurt?" she asked.

It stung but I shrugged offhandedly. "I can handle pain. Do you want to head to the gym now?"

She gave me a small smile. We walked together quietly to the large gym.

"Looks like we're playing basketball today," I heard Eunmi say in a despairing tone. "And the boys are here too."

The boys? That meant Taemin, Key, and Minho were here then. I scanned the area and saw two blonds and a tall figure standing together near the wall. I wanted to rush to them, but I felt bad ditching Eunmi and knew the strawberry blonde would be watching my movements. I stayed put with Eunmi has we took a seat on the bleachers.

The female coach blew her whistle. "Girls! We are playing basketball today! Who would like to be the leaders?"

Two hands shot up. One I recognized as the pedicured hand of the sassy strawberry blonde. Some cheering and hoots sounded in the room.

"Uh oh, not again," muttered Eunmi at my side.

I glanced at her in puzzlement. "What is it?"

Eunmi pointed. "The blonde girl who threatened you is Soojin, and is rivals with the student president, Jae. Jae-unni is actually my cousin. Jae-unni has the advantage in basketball but Soojin plays dirty."

Jae was a tall, limber girl with long hair like Eunmi, but tied in a high ponytail. It was a better, simpler contrast to Soojin's wavy, dyed hair and face caked with make-up.

"Pick your teams!" declared the coach.

Jae and Soojin evenly chose their close friends until only about ten of us were left.

Jae gestured at Eunmi, a kind gleam in her eyes. "Eunmi."

Eunmi smiled shyly and flitted to her cousin's side. She beckoned at her cousin and whispered in her ear.

After Soojin chose someone, Jae pointed at me.

"Alaina."

I blinked in surprised but smiled gratefully at the two cousins who welcomed me over. The last bit of people were put into teams and teams were given their colored jerseys.

"Can you play basketball well?" Jae asked me when after Eunmi introduced us. Jae seemed very responsible and level-headed.

I shrugged, I had played basketball tons of times at the orphanage, especially with Yuki. "I'm passable. I'm known to shoot three-pointers."

"With your average height? Not bad," commented Jae. "Alright, I want you with me. That way we can double-team Soojin and her goons."

...

(Taemin's POV)

"Yah, isn't that Alaina on Jae-ssi's team?" said Minho aloud, peering across the gym.

Taemin perked his head up. "Where?"

With his exceptional sight, Key pointed spot-on. "There, in the blue jersey with the number thirteen."

The trio watched intently as Alaina and Jae worked together and confused Soojin who had the ball. Alaina intercepted a lousy pass and ran for her team's basket. She executed a perfect lay-up. The blue team cheered and Jae high-fived Alaina gleefully.

"Daebak, Alaina!" shouted Taemin supportingly.

Alaina spared a glance at him and smiled gratefully. She returned her attention back to the game.

...

(Alaina's POV)

Soojin was infuriated when Taemin and the rest of SHINee supported me.

During one point in the game, she purposely tripped me but brought us both tumbling down.

"Watch it, ," she hissed at me as she pushed me away from her. Her friends helped her up and snickered away. Eunmi and Jae checked up on me but I was fine.

"Just a small scratch on my ankle," I assured them. "Nothing painful."

Jae glared a daggers at Soojin. "She better not do that again. Last time she got suspended."

"What did she do?"

Jae looked at Eunmi who was frowning. "She hurt Eunmi during a football game. Eunmi had to stop taking ballet lessons because of her sprained ankle."

I sighed long-insufferably. "That girl needs to calm down..."

...

(Taemin's POV)

His head boiled when Soojin tripped Alaina and they both stumbled down. Soojin pushed Alaina away from her gruffly.

"Stay, Taemin," heeded Key when Taemin was about to sprint forward for his soulmate. Minho and Key both had a firm grip on his slim shoulders.

He gritted his teeth, but was slightly calmer when he saw Alaina stand up without trouble.

...

(Alaina's POV)

Hearing how Soojin had hurt Eunmi, I played twice as hard.

Jae and I were the shooters, only us. Jae had all the fancy, neat tricks - she even did slam dunks - while I was more smoother and swift, evading blockers and shooting precise three-pointers.

We won without a doubt. It was scored fifty-seven to thirty-two.

As if we were old-time partners, Jae and I pounded fists. I felt how proud and relieved she was for our victory and my astounding teamwork.

"You should join the basketball team," she told me honestly as we changed in the locker room. Only members from the blue team were allowed this side of the locker room. They were celebrating that they showed Soojin and her friends who's boss.

I was still tired. "I don't have a lot of endurance or stamina, so I'll pass."

"Wanna eat lunch with us?" Jae asked.

I felt giddish at the invitation. "Ne! Komawo!" Then I remembered how SHINee wanted to keep me close-by. "Wait, can I ask some of my other friends?"

Eunmi and Jae looked puzzled. "Who?"

...

"Oh my gosh, I'm sitting near Lee Taemin," gushed Eunmi, clinging onto my sleeve. "He's like the best dancer in the entire school."

I rolled my eyes. She kept repeating the same sentence for the past ten minutes.

Our congregation was sitting at one of the largest tables in the academy's spacious cafeteria. Taemin sat on my left while Eunmi was on my right. Minho and Key were a little across from us with Jae and her student council friends. Key and Jae were talking about school stuff while Minho was conversing with some of Jae's sporty friends.

Under the table, Taemin held onto my hand. He relayed any feeling he had to me. Like how happy he was when I made some new trustworthy friends or how amused he was because he could hear Eunmi's compliments.

"We should hang out after school," Eunmi was saying to me.

"I have work," I told her apologetically.

Eunmi tilted her head speculatively. "Where?"

"Park's Little Town. It's a cafe."

Eunmi's eyes brightened. "That sounds like a great place for a hang out place. Let me tell Jae-unni!"

Jae was delighted by the notion. "Yeah, we should go there later." She glanced at me for permission. "Do you mind?"

I laughed bleakly. "I'm the one working, as long as you pay, I'm fine with it."

Eunmi clapped her hands gleefully. "It's decided then."

...

"Alaina, you're here on time - whoa." Chunhei stopped short when she saw the number of students happily talking and filling up the cafe. She grabbed my shoulder to whisper in my ear.

"You're golden, dear."

I laughed and brushed past her. "I'll get my apron."

"You look so cute with an apron!" chimed Eunmi as I came back fully prepared.

I rolled my eyes. "What are your orders?"

Chunhei and I fixed up the goodies and Chungcha was making sure my classmates were enjoying everything.

Busy with orders, I didn't notice Taemin, Key, and Minho had slipped out for a while.

...

(SHINee's POV)

"It happened here?" wondered Minho as the three of them snuck into the deserted alley.

Taemin nodded and jerked his head at the crumbled crater in the middle of the alley.

Key unpocketed a device. It was oblong and easily cupped in his hand. He held it out and the light on the device blinked green.

"The Reader says it was just a low-ranked demon. There are leftover traces of ES lingering in the air," reported Key.

"Should we clean the area?" Minho wanted to know, peering about. "Who has a Cleanser?"

"I do," said Taemin. From his pocket, he produced something similar to a marble but it was see-through and it gleamed blue and green. He injected some of his Essence in it and the marble made a chiming sound. Taemin tossed it in the crater. The marble began to absorb the clinging Essence in the area, filling up the marble until it solidified. When it was fully solid, the marble began to dissolve into dust, the particles blowing away in the air.

"I think no demon will suspect this area. And so close to Alaina's apartment..." Key rubbed his neck troublesomely.

Minho glanced at Taemin. "Maybe it's a good thing Taemin stays at her place, or we can try to convince her to move to our house." When Taemin didn't respond, Minho shook his shoulder. Taemin snapped from his stupor. "Did you hear me, Taem?"

"Uh - yeah. I don't think Alaina would be comfortable staying with us. She likes being...private." Taemin was actually thinking what happened if Alaina did move in the SHINee house. It was more like they wouldn't have any privacy.

Key crossed his arms. "But it'd be better. We could drive her where she wants and have her near to teach her about our culture. If she says yes, we can have Onew-hyung finalize the paperwork of the program. He is her cousin." He laughed at their inside joke.

Taemin debated. "I'll try to convince her then. Let's go back to the cafe now." He practically scampered off.

Key and Minho followed after their maknae leisurely.

He's so in love.

...

(Someone's POV)

From his vantage point up on the rooftop, he watched the guardians go silently. When they were fully gone from view, he straightened up from his crouch.

"The little maknae guardian of SHINee doesn't know anything about his soulmate, how amusing," he mused then chuckled. "I better go report this to my sunbae."

He disappeared in a flash.

...