A/N: Thank you to Every thorn has its Rose and stiffkittens101 for the review! Well, there is a little bit of Graverobber/ Shilo going on in this one for you Every thorn has its Rose. I don't know why I'm writing a romance when I'm terrible at it, but oh well. And yes, stiffkittens101, I will try to add more Luigi and Pavi in the next chapter. Pavi and Luigi are quite OOC in this. Hope you like this chapter.

Chapter Ten

The children became very eager when it was finally time for the puppet show. Beforehand, Graverobber and Lina carried out a big large box that could contain two people. Graverobber was going to be part of the puppet show as well since Lina had to do all the main female voices while Graverobber would do the extras. Truthfully, Graverobber didn't want to be a part of it, but the look Lina gave him made him change his mind. Mia became the narrator for the puppet show for reasons she would not tell. Let's just say, Lina was cruel. Very cruel.

The puppets were also well made. Thanks to Mia's good craft. The only exception was Lina's puppet which Lina made herself. It was quite funny looking but nobody would dare say that out loud (well, children are quite innocent). Lina didn't mind though. It was only when the Largos tried to hold back a laugh that she sent her best glare at them to make them shut up as well as Graverobber. Shilo and Mia turned away to hide a smile that slowly graced their lips as she showed it. Oh well, Lina always had a way for payback. Oh, how she always has payback.

A long, long time ago, three heroic women traveled in the far distance of the Island. Shilo, the youngest, held powers of ultimate magic.

Shilo's puppet was held by Graverobber as he made Shilo strike a shy pose.

Lina, the second oldest, held a power of strength beyond measure.

Lina's puppet was held by herself before she made a heroic pose with her head looking up. The children laughed at how silly Lina's puppet looked before Lina smiled herself.

And the last, Mia, the oldest, held the mind of a genius.

Mia's puppet was held by Lina again as she made the puppet stand straight like a tree. Mia was obviously unhappy.

The three together were asked by the king of the Island to save the five children who were kidnapped by the most powerful twin-headed dragon called Pavi and Luigi Largo.

"What the he-," Luigi yelled but quieted when Lina gave a glare from out the box at him. He mumbled under his breath and continued to watch.

Pavi, on the other hand, seemed quite excited and not at all offended. Shilo wondered what made him look so excited, but she guessed she would find out later on. The children seemed not to notice the outburst as they seemed to focus their attention on the puppet show, eager for the puppets to continue.

"As they traveled through their journey, they meet a man named Rave, the merchant," Mia continued.

Out popped a puppet that looked like Graverobber. Graverobber moved his puppet back and forth to make it look like it was alive.

"Hello there! What makes three beautiful women travel in such a hurry?" Graverobber used his natural voice.

"We are here to slay the Largo dragon," Lina said proudly.

"Woah, slaying the Largo dragon, huh? Aren't you three women afraid?" Rave asked.

"Of course not, with the three of us, we can surely defeat such a terrible monster," Shilo said.

Lina used a light squeaky for Shilo's voice. Shilo couldn't help but frown for a small bit before she just had to smile.

"Well, the name is Rave. I am selling some stuff. Would you like something?" Rave asked.

"What do you have," Mia's puppet asked.

Lina used a very monotonous voice as much as she could to Mia's. Mia looked over at her puppet and glared, hoping Lina could see she was starting to feel quite unhappy at her character.

Throughout the puppet show, the children "oohed" and "awed" at the travels the puppets go through. Mia solved the puzzles and riddles while Lina and Shilo fought off other weird looking monsters. After going through many obstacles, it was then that the three main puppets finally faced the Largo dragon.

"Give the children back, you fiend," Lina's puppet yelled at the two-headed dragon.

The dragon looked quite like Pavi and Luigi though in a dragon-like appearance.

"Ah, and how would you kill the Pavi and my brother," one of the heads said in a squeaky voice (thanks to good ole Graverobber).

"We'll kill you before you try to do anything," the other head snarled.

The dragon moved, hitting Lina as she went down.

Lina and Graverobber could hear the children gasp in horror. This made Lina smile before they continued the play.

After trying to beat the dragon but failed, they had no choice but to use another method. Shilo picked up the bag but something fell out and it was the mirror that they bought from Rave, the merchant. The eyes of Pavi sparkled as he saw the mirror.

"A mirror? The Pavi wants," Pavi, the dragon, yelled.

Sadly, Graverobber irked at having to say that line. Lina tried to hold back a laugh.

"Brother, calm yourself," the Luigi one yelled at his brother before head-butting the other dragon's head.

Soon after, the brothers started to attack each other. It wasn't long before the two-headed dragon destroyed themselves. Lina, Mia, and Shilo, though they did nothing, found the defeat victorious and made their way to the dragon's cave. They found the children and took them home. Everyone cheered and they all had a happy ever after.

Mia finished the narration and the children cheered. Graverobber and Lina came out of the box and bowed before everyone. Everyone (other than Luigi) cheered and clapped though Pavi cheered the loudest.

"Yes, yes, well, thanks to Mia for the narration and making the puppets other than my own. Thanks for the Largo brothers for helping with the storyline," Lina started before Shilo, Mia, and Graverobber looking at her surprised when they heard about the storyline was also made by the Largo brothers. "What? They deserve some credit. The face stealer came up with the mirror thing and the loud mouth with the dragon destroying each other."

"Whatever," Luigi yelled before looking away while mumbling something.

"The Pavi loved the puppet show. It is fantastic. Very beautiful," Pavi said happily. Lina rolled her eyes before she looked over at Graverobber.

"And thank this big lug of a guy for helping me with the puppets," Lina said before patting Graverobber's back.

Shilo smiled gratefully and nodded at Graverobber. Graverobber just gave her a seductive smile back, which Shilo turned away from shyly.

"Well, children, did you like the puppet show," Lina asked.

"Yeah," all the children yelled in unison. Lina nodded looking rather proud at the accomplishment.

She then looked over at Shilo, "That's my gift to you, Shilo. Did you like it?"

Shilo smiled and nodded before she said, "I liked it very much."

"Well, good, because I'm not doing that again. I hate being cramped up in a small space for who knows how long," Lina said, letting out a breath.

"Same thing for me," Graverobber said but Lina completely ignored him.

"Well, of course, you did this for twenty minutes," Mia told her before Lina nodded and then started stretching.

"I'm gonna skip dinner tonight. I've got to do some stuff," Lina said before letting out a sigh, "Seriously, I just got my break, and I have to do other things. It really pisses me off."

"What time will you come back," Shilo asked worriedly before Lina shrugged.

"No need to worry. I will be home before morning comes," Lina said, giving a big smile at Shilo.

"Okay then, but get some sleep when you get back home," Shilo said sternly. Lina let out a chuckle before she got her jacket.

"I will, mom," Lina said sarcastically. Shilo rolled her eyes in reply, letting Lina give out another chuckle. "Well, see ya later everyone."

After a few hours of her being out, Shilo had heard a loud noise from outside. She ran out to the front of the door and found Lina banging against the door. She unlocked it immediately before she found a pale faced Lina with a boy around the age of thirteen on one side of her.

"Lina," Shilo shouted but not enough to wake up the children. Her voice woke up Pavi in the living room and stirred Luigi from his sleep. Luigi then cursed when he realized he was woken up. Suddenly, footsteps immediately followed downstairs. Mia and Graverobber came out to meet with a rather horrified Shilo, an injured Lina, and an unknown boy.

"What happened," Mia asked before she ordered Graverobber to get her inside the living room and on a couch.

Pavi watched with wide eyes as he saw blood from Lina's side. The boy held onto Lina's arm with his life. Lina chuckled weakly and patted the boy's head with her clean hand.

"I don't die so easily, little boy, so stop crying," she said weakly before looking up at Mia, "I got stabbed on the side. Nothing that you wouldn't be able to handle."

Mia nodded before she immediately got upstairs to get her medical bag. Lina looked over to Shilo and told her to get a cloth for her to hold in her blood. Shilo nodded and left right away. Lina then ordered Graverobber to take care of the boy for her. The boy refused but agreed in the end because of Lina's persuasion. Graverobber lead him inside the children's room before Lina gave a sigh of relief.

Mia came by with her medical bag and started mending on Lina's injuries. All the while, Pavi watched the whole thing. Luigi smirked to see justice had been done though he got hit on the head by Mia after she finished mending Lina's injuries. She noticed how much Luigi enjoyed seeing Lina in pain, and she wasn't going to let him get away with it, even if he is a Largo. And of course, Luigi responded with a growl and mumbling curses at Mia.

"What the hell happened," Mia asked, looking over at Lina seriously.

"Repo man. Found the boy being caught by him and decided to save him. I got distracted, and the Repo man had the chance to stab me," Lina said before she winced in pain.

"Be thankful it isn't serious," Mia said seriously.

"The boy's name is Nate," Lina told them, "Will you take him in, Shilo?"

"What about his family," Shilo asked worriedly.

"Both of them died from repossession. I saved the kid in time," Lina answered quietly.

"No more questions. Lina go to sleep, and you are not allowed to move tomorrow," Mia ordered. Lina rolled her eyes.

"When have I ever listen," Lina asked before Mia stared at her with much anger.

"I will tie you up," Mia said.

"Listen to Mia, Lina. You are injured, and it needs to heal. No more going wild," Shilo said before Lina scowled.

"I have been injured before. This is nothing," Lina said before she winced again as she moved into a more comfortable position.

"Rest," Mia ordered with such finality in her voice. She frowned but listened in the end before she had to speak to Shilo again.

"Shilo, about Nate…" Lina started, but Shilo cut her off. Shilo smiled and nodded.

"I will take care of him," Shilo told her. Lina nodded before she let out a sigh before telling Shilo a good night.

Shilo left to the children's room and noticed Nate was sitting worriedly while Graverobber was in the back watching. When Nate saw Shilo, he walked up to her with eager eyes. Shilo smiled and sat him back to his bed.

"H-how i-is s-she," the boy stuttered while he sniffed. Shilo wiped away the remaining tears.

"She will be okay if she rests, but she wants you to rest as well. Lina may be a tough woman, but she is quite soft-hearted," Shilo told the boy. The boy looked over at her for a moment and nodded. He lied on his bed and put the blanket over himself to the neck. "If you need anything, I will be upstairs in the room at the end of the hallway on the left."

The boy nodded. Shilo looked over at Graverobber and gestured him to leave. Graverobber understood and left, relieved that he didn't need to comfort the boy. Shilo was about to leave as well, but Nate stopped her by holding onto her wrist.

"Thank you, miss," the boy said quietly. Shilo smiled and shook her head.

"Get some sleep. Do not think too much," Shilo told him before kissing the top of his head, "Good night, Nate."

Nate looked up at her and smiled before he closed his eyes. Shilo smiled before she walked towards the door. She looked at Nate one more time before she left and closed the door behind her. She let out a breath, but she knew Nate would have nightmares for a while like all the other children that watched their parents die. Shilo is prepared for it though, knowing the drill so well with the other children. She went upstairs but stopped her tracks when a voice startled her.

"How are you doing, kid," Graverobber asked, leaning against the wall next to his room.

"Tired. I'm expecting Nate would be having nightmares tonight," Shilo answered before she yawned, covering her mouth as she did so.

"I see," Graverobber said with a nod.

Silence filled the air between them. Shilo felt awkward and more embarrassed now after the misunderstanding was cleared. Graverobber eyed her intently, waiting for something to happen next. When she didn't do anything, Graverobber pulled her over to him, his arms around her waist. His eyes stared into hers. And for some reason, Shilo felt hypnotized by his eyes. They stayed like this for several seconds before Shilo finally realized she held in her breath. And of course, her first reaction was to get out of his grasp when she was able to catch her breath again, and she did.

"Whoa, kid. No need to get feisty. Just wanted to know why you are avoiding me," Graverobber said, clearing his throat. He didn't understand why, but he liked how his arms were around her waist. So warm and so soft with a hint of… Graverobber mentally shook his head.

"No time for perverse thoughts, Graverobber," he thought, "Get back on track."

"Oh, I'm not avoiding you. I just got a lot of things in my mind," Shilo said, half lying. Thankfully, it was too dark to notice that Shilo was blushing.

"Kid, you can't lie. I can see through you, so what's wrong," Graverobber asked intently on getting some answers. Shilo sighed, obviously knowing she was going to lose against Graverobber.

"Okay. I thought…" Shilo started, feeling the urge to hide in the corner.

"Yeah?"

"I.. I thought, you and I, we… um… did something when I was… sick," Shilo answered. She could feel the blush getting stronger. Oh, how much she really wanted to hide after saying that. Graverobber is going to think she's one of those… women.

Graverobber was shocked for just a moment, knowing immediately what she meant by "something" before a smirk came across his lips.

"The kid is no longer a kid, it seems," Graverobber said before he got close to her again. This time, he made sure his face was close to hers. "Would you like to know how it feels?" His voice was low and seductive, making Shilo shiver as she felt his hot breath against her lips.

Shilo gulped. She replied by stepping back from his closeness and turning away, her face getting redder from what Graverobber said. Graverobber noticed and chuckled before he let out a whistle.

"I wouldn't mind having you, you know," Graverobber said, teasingly once more.

"You…" Shilo started before she turned to him and puffed her cheeks angrily though it was obvious she was also embarrassed.

"Me? What about me," Graverobber asked as he closed in on her like a predator.

"I do not have time for this, Graverobber," Shilo said before she pushed him away roughly, rushed inside her room, and closed the door behind her. Her back was against the door before she slid down. She held her chest and felt her heart beating like crazy. Oh my, is Shilo's heart racing for Graverobber?

Meanwhile, Graverobber chuckled once more and found it funny that she had dirty thoughts. He shrugged yet sighed for some reason. He looked at his forearms and found that he could still feel the warmth on his arms from holding Shilo. Just for a moment, he wanted more than her body. He wanted all of her. Graverobber shrugged that feeling away and chuckled.

"You got me, Kid. I think I found my Zydrate," Graverobber whispered before he stared at her room for a moment and went inside his own.

As for Lina, she was sleeping peacefully, but that bliss was soon disrupted by the feeling of someone shaking her. She immediately sat up in alert, but she found herself wincing afterwards from the sudden move she made on her injury. She looked over to the person that shook her and found out it was Nate.

"What's wrong, Nate," Lina asked, her voice raspy.

"I- are you okay," Nate asked in return. He looked worriedly at her. Lina looked over at him for a moment before she ruffled his hair while having her other hand holding her side.

"I am still alive, aren't I? I'm guessing you have nightmares," Lina asked. Nate looked down.

"S-sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," Nate told her. Lina chuckled as if it was funny. Nate looked over at her with confusion though it was a little hard to see her expression.

"Usually, the children would go to Shilo for this," Lina said before she sat up so Nate could sit next to her. She patted the seat next to her before Nate hesitantly sat down.

"Thank you for saving me," Nate finally said after a while of being quiet.

"Wait until I die then thank me," Lina said with a shrug. Nate frowned but Lina wouldn't be able to see it as she started stretching before she laid her arm across the top of the couch. "So what was your nightmare?"

"I- I saw blood. My parents on the ground on the pool of blood and then Repo man coming after me," Nate said, shivering as he was reminded of the nightmare.

"Hm… I see. Well, I can't chase away the nightmares for you, but I can make some warm milk. Do you want some," Lina asked. Nate uttered a silent "yes" before she stood up wincing at her injury. Thankfully, Nate couldn't see it.

The two entered the kitchen and Lina turned on the lights to prepare some warm milk. Nate watched her and was amazed at how Lina could be so calm after being injured like that. He wondered if she would teach him how to be fearless like her. After she made the preparations finished and now need to wait until the liquid boils, she sat down next to Nate and looked over at him observantly.

"What was your age again," Lina asked before she leaned back on the chair in a more comfortable position.

"Th-thirteen," Nate answered.

Lina nodded before she got up and out of the kitchen for a bit. It was then she got back to the kitchen with Pavi behind her. Nate's eyes widened before seeing how Pavi's face looked horrible. Nate held back from gasping at the sight, but Pavi could see how scared he looked at him. Pavi immediately turned away, feeling rather ugly.

"Want some warm milk, face-stealer," Lina asked. Nate now looked over at Lina, wondering why he is called face-stealer.

"The name is not face-stealer, bella. It's the Pavi," Pavi pouted before Lina rolled her eyes and made him sit in front of Nate. "You will not massage the Pavi like always? What does warm milk do?"

"And like I said again, I do not care what you want me to call you. As for the warm milk, it is to replace me not being able to massage you. They both do the same thing of relaxing you. How long were you awake anyways," Lina asked before sitting next to Pavi, yawning as she did so.

"When you came home, bella," Pavi answered, avoiding Nate's stare. Lina knocked on the table towards Nate.

"Stop staring at him," Lina said seriously. Nate jumped a bit at Lina's disapproving look. His eyes soon caught the floor and noticed the small specks on the tiles.

"S-sorry," Nate said, looking up at Pavi for a bit before instantly looking down on the ground. Lina looked quite frustrated after she found that she made it worse. Pavi and Nate seemed to enjoy looking at the floor, and she wasn't too happy about it.

"You two, we're going out tomorrow," Lina told them before she got up and got them their warm milk.

"But… the Pavi's face," Pavi started but couldn't finish how ugly he felt without a face to cover his own.

"I don't care. You are going with me whether you like it or not," Lina said before she placed a cup of warm milk for Pavi and one for Nate. She then closed in towards Pavi's face and looked directly at him, her expression serious and dark. She whispered in a quiet voice so Nate couldn't hear and said, "Don't even try to steal a face because it will give me a reason to make you suffer. Understood?"

Pavi shivered and nodded without a choice. When Lina saw how scared he got, she smiled and pulled away her gaze towards him and then turned to Nate.

"Are you going to object too," Lina asked towards the boy and the boy immediately shook his head when he saw how threatening she can be. "Good, because I don't want to tie you guys up and dragging both of you to come along."

The two males gulped before they slowly took their cup of warm milk and drank it silently. Lina, on the other hand, sat down before she laid a hand under her shirt where her injured side is. She could feel the wetness of the blood seeping through the bandage from her moving too much. But of course, she didn't dare show how much it hurts.

"Being nice sucks," Lina thought.