*Re-edited version 10/21/12*

LOL. I love the last part of the chappie. Hahahahah! Anyway, sorry for such a late update during the day, and this chappie is very informative with a sweet and funny ending. I hope you like SHINee's powers and hope I didn't steal ideas (because it's hard when you have limited resources). Seriously, tell me, my dear readers, who are your biases from EXO? Your answers will help me very much. Excuse me for any mistakes or confusion. I don't own the song near the end. Please comment or subscribe. See you later~

Disclaimer: I don't own pics or song.

(Alaina's POV)

Having survived the tension at school and working at the cafe, it was finally time to go to SHINee's house Sunday and meet the last two members.

"What are you going to wear to our house?" Key asked me when he and Taemin were over at my apartment. It was around nine in the morning. Key was the transportation with his car, and Taemin was the devoted, lovable soulmate that wanted to spend every minute with me (but had his restrictions). Key surveyed my plain outfit up and down. "Do you have a dress by any chance?"

I shook my head. Dresses were the bane of my existence. That, and skirts. I strongly preferred jeans and tees and hoodies.

Since we were sitting on the couch, Taemin wrapped his slim arms around my waist. Since we were cautious about skinship - wearing long sleeves or non-contact with skin - it lessened my habit of evading contact. Besides, Taemin was happier and more content when I was in his arms.

"Alaina looks good in anything," Taemin defended me loyally.

"I know," said Key dismissively, waving his hand side to side, "but it's the first time I get to dress a girl. She's my daughter now, eh?"

What am I? A doll?

"That won't be necessary," I spoke up warily. "I'll find something...decent." Taemin released his hold on me so I could ambled into my room and search for clothes that would appease Key's stylish tastes.

Finally I emerged from my room in a white buttoned down blouse, the collar folded down, a thin long-sleeved sweater, and fitting jeans. It was better than skinny jeans and a t-shirt with printed designs.

Key clapped his hands delightfully. "That's some improvement! But also pack an overnight bag with your school uniform. You're spending the night with us."

"Uh - er - araso." I packed the said items, locked my apartment door, and Taemin slipped an arm around my waist, leading me to Key's car.

Taemin noticed my pursed lips and darting gaze. "Worried?"

I glanced at him and smiled weakly. "After what you told me about your hyungs? Ne. Are...are you going to explain your powers to me today?"

Key glanced back in the rear-view mirror with his fancy thick shades. "Depending whether or not you'll believe us."

I gulped, and Taemin shot Key a heeding look.

When Key pulled up the car into the SHINee's driveway, I gaped. Their house was so modern yet homey, something I dreamed to live in. I saw the garage open, displaying the multiple shiny cars they had. The front flowerbeds and lawn was tended to carefully.

I felt even more out-of-place. Taemin, Key, and Minho would always visit me in my dopey apartment, looking like gods, while here I looked like a blotch in a masterpiece. Why would Taemin want to spend his time with me when he had all this?

Taemin carried my duffel bag over his shoulder and held my waist with his free arm. He tugged me closer to the house. Key opened the door and waved us in. I was timid to enter the wonderland.

"Wow," I breathed, looking at the warm, radiant interior. Something seen in movies or magazines.

Key called out, "We're here!"

Taemin escorted me to the nearest lounge room. He sat with me in a loveseat.

He smiled at me with his radiance, assuring me that everything would be fine.

Minho sauntered in and smiled at me handsomely. "Annyeong, Alaina. Finally here, huh?"

I nodded mutely, dazed by my surroundings. Everything was gentle and...glowing.

Next, Key came in the room arm-in-arm with a handsome male with broad cheekbones and a stocky, strong built.

"This is Kim Jonghyun," Key clarified, a warm gleam in his eyes, "my soulmate. Jongie, this is our son's soulmate! Our new daughter-in-law!"

I laughed bleakly at Key's enthusiasm. I stood up and bowed respectfully. "Nice to meet you, I'm Akiyama Alaina."

Jonghyun appraised me from head to toe. "Aigoo, Taeminnie was right. You are pretty."

Key whacked the back of his head. "Remind you that you have a soulmate and it's me."

Jonghyun and Key began to bicker like a married couple...which they basically are. Taemin, Minho, and I watched in amusement like they were a drama.

"Enough bickering, please. It's too early in the morning," called out an unique voice.

Entered Onew very sluggishly but very lightly into the room. His pretty crescent-shaped eyes landed on me intriguingly. His presence eased the setting more calmly.

He bowed his head at me and smiled politely. "Annyeong, Taemin's soulmate. I'm the leader and oldest of SHINee, Lee Jinki, but everyone calls me Onew."

I blushed and also bowed. "I heard much about you, Onew-ssi."

Onew waved his hand tolerantly. "Just call me Onew-oppa. I am your cousin." SHINee all laughed.

I pinked when he said that. "You - so you've heard."

Onew sat in an armchair, his smile still present and welcoming. The atmosphere was very easygoing and comforting. My arm was pressed against Taemin's as I sat. Jonghyun and Onew were staring at me very interestedly.

Noticing his soulmate's awed silence, Key touched Jonghyun's hand. "Something wrong, jagiya?"

Jonghyun blinked quickly. "Eh? Oh, I was...thinking."

"Alaina wants to know about our powers," spoke up Taemin for the first time since their arrival. (It was because he was too absorbed in watching my reactions.)

I nodded in affirmation. "Taemin explained very loosely about all of you."

"Because it makes things more fun," remarked Key, but he didn't budge from his seat. "I really don't feel like showing off."

"And neither of us can exhibit our powers without making a ruckus," added Onew. "So we'll just explain everything. First thing you should consider is that I'm not the leader of SHINee for no reason. I am clumsy and laid-back, but I am a very strong Somatist."

My eyes narrowed. "A Somatist as in somatic? Pertaining to the body?"

Onew nodded then looked at Minho.

"Minho, sit on the other side of the couch."

I watched in wonder as Minho's listened to the order without complaint, but it seemed more like his movements were puppet-like. Minho looked irritated.

"Don't use me as your guinea pig," groaned Minho.

"As you can see I have the gift of voice control, but I can also influence emotions, and another thing..."

"What 'another thing'?" I asked as the others shared knowing glances.

Onew cleared his throat then said, "What 'another thing'?"

In my voice.

"Whoa, that's freaky," I gaped. Did I just hear that right?

Taemin shuddered. "Don't do that again, please."

Onew grinned. "Your voice is...lovely." He wanted to say more than that but Key spoke up.

"I'm not going to show you because I'm afraid you might faint but I can create barriers and use mirrors or reflections to my advantage," he proclaimed.

"Key-umma can see any image through a reflection or create a projection of anything he wants," explained Taemin. "And his barriers are the most strongest of defensive casters. He can even tear down other barriers."

"My powers are very diverse though," Key added, "I still haven't discovered my full potential after all these years. I'm not really a fighter, but rather a protector or defensive combatant."

Jonghyun sighed and unslung his arm from Key's shoulder. "Araso, my turn. Um...I influence sounds and the usage of my powerful vocals. I can make my voice rise into a screech that can inflict deafness or create the loudest sonic waves ever. But to counteract that, I can administer a range of...silence around me." He smirked. "Silence helps when I want to ignore Key's nagging."

Key whacked his soulmate's head again and pouted. "My voice isn't that annoying."

We all laughed.

Minho leaned forward in his seat. "Mine is very simple to explain. I can influence gravity and I have boosted strength. People mistake my power over gravity as telekinesis but there's a difference. I can influence something to be as light as a feather or add pressure and can make a feather as heavy as a building." Minho held out his hand and beckoned with his long fingers. A book flew to his hand from the table. "I can pinpoint where I want gravity to be centered upon. For example my hand, another person, anything. When I fight, I tend to gather my opponents together and keep them flat on the ground. I force so much pressure on them that they faint."

"That's amazing," I murmured in admiration. Minho was very resourceful like Key, utilizing his gifts in any shape or form.

Key clapped his hands together. "And finally we have the maknae." He was grinning.

Taemin stiffened then sighed loudly. He glanced up to meet my questionable gaze. "I already told you my first power."

"Prognostication," I affirmed, recalling. "But you said it wasn't your strongest skill because your not the best Mentalist."

"I'm both a Mentalist and Physicalist - or offensive fighter. The power you saw that one night was-"

"STAR POWER~!" sang Taemin's hyungs harmoniously. They snickered or laughed at their inside joke.

Taemin blushed beet red. "Stop calling it that!"

I was confused. "Star power? Is that even possible?"

Taemin was too busy throwing couch pillows at his chortling hyungs.

"I meant," he stressed, "my power over energy and the energy of a star."

"Star power~!" his hyungs only sang teasingly.

"Just ignore them and tell me," I told him with a sigh.

Taemin looked at me gratefully for my reasonable manner. "Remember how I held a rod of blazing light? Think about the energy and light of a star, that is what I generated and held in my hand. It's very immense power that I can materialize into physical particles with my ES."

"Taemin is the most shiniest fighter out of us all," chuckled Jonghyun, his hand over his mouth as he suppressed his laughs. "In battle, he cloaks himself with the energy and-"

"-and I can be as fast as a cheetah and be as strong as Minho-hyung," Taemin cut in pointedly before Jonghyun said something embarrassing. "It's a very helpful boost to my senses and my physical traits."

"I was going to say zoom around like a shooting star, but whatever floats your boat," Jonghyun said with a playful grin.

My gaze touched each and every one of them, trying to see such aptitude residing in them. But they looked like models or the most dazzling teenagers in the world, not dangerous fighters from a different universe until they actually wanted to be.

They're all so amazing and gifted. They say they battle or fight when I don't see a single scar on them. How long have they been training? How old are they?

"We're the best guardian group of them all!" boasted Key. "We may not control elements or be the biggest group out there, but we sure can trick our opponents!"

"Ever since Exo officially became a group, we're not the youngest either," chimed in Taemin. He must have despised being the youngest of youngest.

"But what about me?" I spoke up again, but aimlessly. Everyone looked at me. "Key said I am a Mentalist." I touched my forehead as images flashed in my head. So many... "I-I think someone told me that if I controlled the Essence within me, then my powers would finally be restrained."

"I'm surprised you know about Essence or ES in the first place," remarked Onew, holding his chin speculatively. "You can guess what a Mentalist is by the name. You see, Alaina, Mentalist must have very intelligent minds to withstand such brainwaves in their head. But if a Mentalist isn't properly trained, their mental abilities will go berserk. Taemin practices with his prognostication everyday but still hasn't perfected it. But maybe in a few decades, he would be able to forecast farther in the future other than just ten seconds." Onew paused as I absorbed the information silently. "And about the ES residing in you, I guess you are part of the Reversed World. But there so much uncertainty about you. I will have to contact our sunbaes for their opinions."

"Alright," I agreed in a wan whisper.

Key stood up merrily. "How about we have some lunch now, eh?"

...

(Onew's POV)

Key and Taemin tugged Alaina to the kitchen followed by a leisure Minho, but Jonghyun stayed behind with him in the lounge room. The second eldest noticed the thoughtful silence of his leader.

"Who are you going to contact?" Jonghyun asked him, crossing his arms solemnly.

Onew fidgeted with his fingers. "Someone who knows more than I do, someone trustworthy." Onew glanced up to meet Jonghyun's strong gaze. "For a guardian...how did Alaina appear on Earth without the transaction procedures from the Reversed World? And how is it she seems to age normally as a human? She didn't even mention it, but I knew she noticed." He sighed collectively. "Alaina seeks answers from me when I seek answers from her."

"So are we going to teach her?" Jonghyun inquired, raising a brow. "She has work and we all have school. How should we organize this?"

"We'll think of something," assured Onew. "For now, we'll do what we can and let her learn bit by bit."

"Oh yeah, that reminds me, Key says he wants to convince Alaina to move in here so she could be close by. Taemin said she had almost gotten eaten by a demon that one time. But since you're her 'cousin', we need someone do persuade her and take responsibility over her."

"I guess..." Onew stood up but another question popped into his mind. "Yah, did Alaina ever mention about her family? Wouldn't they have suspected their daughter to be abnormal?"

"I don't know, but I'll ask Key later."

"Let's go eat lunch. I'm craving chicken." Onew hummed as he walked out of the room.

Jonghyun only shook his head after his dubu leader. "Aish, that chicken-loving guardian..."

...

(Alaina's POV)

A fairy tale. A tranquil dream. Two things I couldn't receive on my own.

But I could be given.

"This place is so beautiful," I breathed contently. I was outside in the lush backyard on the patio, sitting in a comfy lounge swing with an awning above me to shade me from the grinning sun. The air was warm but not too sticky of humidity. Spring was in the air, deserting winter behind. I closed my eyes to embrace the refreshing, peaceful atmosphere around me.

Very lightly, a body eased onto the swing with me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, our legs swinging freely off the edge.

"What are you thinking?" an angelic voice whispered close to my ear.

His playful antics made me smile. "Oh, just thinking how beautiful this place is. I can't believe you actually live here."

"Jinja? Hm...but I find you more beautiful."

I nudged him drolly with my elbow. He chuckled. "You sound so cheesy."

"But it's true~" he sang, holding me closer, I squeaked in protest, "Taemin!"

"Yah! Lovebirds!" shouted Key from the patio dining area. "Lunchtime!"

"Araso~" we called, and Taemin eagerly pulled me to the feast. I appraised the platters.

"Wow, Key, you're such talented chef. Do you take professional cooking classes?" I asked as I sat down between Taemin and Minho. Key, Jonghyun, and Onew were across from us.

Key stuck his chin proudly in the air. "I'm a natural. I'm awesome at everything."

"Isn't that right?" Jonghyun chuckled.

We all dug into the delicious food without complaint.

...

(Onew's POV)

After lunch, Onew insisted Taemin to give his soulmate a tour of the house, and the boy agreed complyingly. Jonghyun and Key hung out in the garage, checking up on their prized cars, while Minho practiced football in the backyard.

So with everyone occupied, Onew slipped into his private office without disruption.

He went to his large office desk and saw that on his desktop screen, a window was blinking for attention. Onew clicked on it. A small window popped up - a video chat.

Onew nodded his head civilly. "Leeteuk-sunbae, it's nice you replied to my request."

"Onew," greeted the older guardian, "it's been a while. We usually don't contact each other for no reason."

"Well, I have a reason for this one. Did you read the message I sent you an hour ago?" Onew was serious under his gentle impression.

Leeteuk nodded. "This girl you speak of...how do we know if she isn't half-human and half-Inhuman? That could possibly explain her age and appearance on Earth. And how did you discover her specifically?"

"I - uh-" Onew cleared his throat. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Ne," Leeteuk said unhesitantly.

"I'm both bothered and interested in this girl because we've found out she is Taemin's soulmate."

"Awww! Taeminnie has a soulmate~?" Leeteuk was happy but he gritted his teeth afterwards. "Darn, I can't tell anybody. But what's so bothersome about her?"

"Think, sunbae, people from the Reversed World only bond with people from the Reversed World," Onew pressed.

"But what happens if my theory is correct, that she is an...interbreed?" argued Leeteuk. "Wouldn't the concept apply to her as an Inhuman?"

"Did you even read the part where I said she might be a Guardian?"

"I may have skimmed," dismissed Leeteuk. "So she has these...special powers?"

Onew nodded. "Her powers deduce she's a very high-ranked Mentalist. Her powers don't cause any trouble to others but she is distressed by it. Any skin-to-skin contact with her will cause her powers to pester her with images and dreams. She was able to read some of Key's background by holding his hand."

"So she is an informative seeker?" suggested Leeteuk.

"Key says her gifts are more than that," Onew stated. "He said she can communicate and jump into other people's dreams. And her ES scale is very immense. When we touch her, our ES reacts back."

Leeteuk tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Then...you should help her discover her talents and see what will be the outcome - by the way, since you've informed me of some demon sightings, I must say that in our area here in Incheon also has been receiving more demon sightings. Heechul and Shindong have been killing them off."

"And to think they only appeared around when Taemin found Alaina..."

"Ooh, her name is Alaina? What a pretty name! Wait, is she even Asian?" Leeteuk was off track.

"Sunbae!"

"Mianhae."

Onew exhaled tiredly. "I'm worried what will happen in the future..."

"Then maybe you should contact BoA or someone from TVXQ," offered Leeteuk reasonably, "they're slightly older and more informative with this stuff. They could help you track down roots."

"But they're back home in the Reversed World. I want to keep Alaina's presence under low profile..."

"That's all I have to offer," Leeteuk said apologetically. "Mianhae, I'm not much help, but do find more about Taemin's precious Alaina." He winked. "So have you had any leads about the Peacemaker, yet?"

Onew shook his head in resignation. He wouldn't voice what his assessment was.

"Same for us. Ah, see you another time then, Onew. I better go before my group wonders why I'm holed up with a computer." Leeteuk ended the video chat.

All alone again, Onew ran his fingers through his hair in vexation.

"I better keep Alaina close. Who knows what might happen if she's discovered. I just hope this one assumption of mine is wrong..."

...

(Alaina's POV)

"And this is my room," announced Taemin as he opened his bedroom door.

"For a teenager, your room is pretty clean, but I would suspect that because it's big," I said as I tentatively investigated my soulmate's bedroom. Like the rest of the house, it was bold-colored, spacious, and filled with gentle light. A large platform bed, the velvet sheets and pillow made. A walk-in closet and bathroom. The carpet was very soft and the ceiling was high and purely white. The windows were pristine and large with fancy linen drapes. Taemin had a stereo set, a shelf of CD's, a large mirror, and some electronics here and there.

I searched through his CD collection and connected it with the stereo and mirror. "I heard you're a really good dancer."

Taemin smirked. "I count myself as the best."

"So cocky," I said. "Tsk tsk."

His eyes shone with an idea. "Wanna see me dance?"

I smiled. "You don't mind, Mister No.1 Dancer?"

Taemin huffed. "For you, I'll make an exception as long as you grant me one wish afterwards."

A knit formed between my brows. "As long as I can grant it."

"You can." Taemin picked out a song to dance to and I took a seat on the edge of the bed patiently. Taemin put in a song and hurried to take position. A catchy song played, the beat was head-bobbing worthy.

Taemin captured my attention with his precise, fluid movements. I heard the whooshes as his body cut the air and the barely the faintest of footfalls as his feet touched the ground. His eyes were bright and full of life as he did something he enjoyed.

He kept his starlit eyes on me as I did on him.

Perfect special lady that everyone envies
Has surely more happiness than others.
It won’t change no matter where in the world.
You are my only everything.

Is it because I’m too kind or young?
Your mood says it all.
And I think I’m gonna hate it girl, it’s surely not long.
I am aware, but I can’t face it.
 
No matter what I do (my heart)
Already (will it not reach?)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay the memories
Always (my heart is)
More (it hurts)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay~

So you’re my MVP, everyday is filled.
The attention focused on us together feels so good.
I won’t let go of that hand again because I said so.
I don’t know from when, but (the way I think) is not the same anymore

Is it because I’m too kind or young?
I understand it all from this atmosphere
And I think I’m gonna hate it girl, it’s surely not long.
But I’ll search for you again.

No matter what I do (my heart)
Already (will it not reach?)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay the memories
Always (my heart is)
More (it hurts)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay~

Ah Ah Ah You are so
Ah Ah Ah Beautiful, yet
You don’t know what true love is suppose to be!
Ah Ah Ah From me to you
Ah Ah Ah I want to give
And transmit my true feelings!

No matter what I do (my heart)
Already (will it not reach?)
Replay~ Replay~ (I need a) Replay~ The memories
Always (my heart is)
More (it hurts)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay~

No matter what I do (my heart)
Already (will it not reach?)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay the memories
(I- I- I love you, girl~)
Always (my heart is)
More (it hurts)
Replay~ Replay~ Replay~
(I- I- I love you, girl~)


No matter what I do (you and me, girl)
(I keep thinking ’bout you) You and me, girl
(Keep think ’bout you) Hey, girl~
You don’t know what is love…


No matter what I do (you and me, girl)
(I keep thinking ’bout you) You and me, girl
(Keep think ’bout you) Hey, girl~
You don’t know what is love
You drive me crazy~

I was too mystified to clap. Taemin came forward to me worriedly, taking my hands, expressing his concern.

"Yeobo?" he asked softly.

I blinked from my reverie of him. "Huh? Oh, Taemin you were wonderful! I loved it! Did you pick that song because it was in Japanese? For me?"

He smiled sheepishly. "Ne. It's a version from one of our songs. Key-umma helped with the translation for it. I'd thought you'd like it."

Hands still grasped, I stood. "Of course I did, babo," I said gently.

"Can I have my wish now?" he asked me.

I felt a shiver go through me. "O-oh, araso. What do you want? It is something simple?"

"It's very simple," he assured me with a tender look. "Just close your eyes and don't peek, araso?"

I sighed. "Alright." I shut my eyes. I couldn't see his beloved face anymore. The light shining from the windows blared warmth in the room, making my vision red behind my eyelids. I knew Taemin was still close, he hadn't budged an inch.

I felt Taemin release one of my hands and reach up to brush his fingertips against my smooth cheek with a feather-light touch. Since I was in contact with him, his thoughts and feelings surged through me. He was relaxed and unhurried, but under all that, he was frenzied with crazed feelings for me.

Love...love...love...

I waited for it, knowing what he wanted, and realized I wanted it, too. I stood still and laxed, but my own emotions were flying, my heart beating faster with anticipation. Taemin leaned closer, his lashes brushing my cheek as he closed his eyes, our foreheads touching, hearing our soft, puffs of breath. Silence around us but sounds of a blossoming orchestra in our chests.

Only you...

Taemin murmured something sweet in a language I could not comprehend.

My beloved...

"Aieru," I whispered back unknowingly.

I will always...

Lips pressed onto mine.

Love you...

...

(SHINee's POV)

"What do you think they're doing?" squeaked Key fretfully, his ear pressed against Taemin's bedroom door.

"Shh!" hissed Jonghyun, copying his actions. "They might hear us."

"We really shouldn't be eavesdropping..." muttered Minho uncomfortably.

Onew raised his brows. "I think they're kissing!" he whispered loudly.

"WHAT?!"

...