"...I beg your pardon?" Meta Knight asked.
The two were standing in the hallway, and Fumu had run into him. He found she had been searching for him specifically for a favor. He had initially prepared to accept...at least until she gave the rundown of what exactly the favor was.
She wanted him to watch over Kirby as a guardian.
Fumu put her hands together in a plea.
"Tokkori has been out for some time on a personal trip, so I cannot ask him to watch Kirby...and he isn't exactly the most ideal candidate for the job. My family and I are going away to the next town over for a little while, so we wanted someone to keep Kirby some company while we're away, at least until either one of us comes back. I hate to see Kirby get lonely."
Meta Knight paused. This was an unusual request he had received; if Fumu had asked him to train Kirby, that was one thing...but to watch him like a parent watches a child?
"The young Star Warrior has been just fine on his own before. Why would you need me to watch him now?"
Fumu shook her head. "At the very least stop by once in a while to keep him some form of company. I don't like how the other kids play with him. He's just a baby, and they forget that sometimes. I'm sure he'd appreciate your company, Sir Meta Knight. Please?"
Meta Knight remained stoic in appearance, but inside, he faltered. How was he supposed to know how to watch children? He was a Star Warrior! Not a...babysitter.
"You know Kirby best besides myself," Fumu said. "You'd be able to figure what he needs or wants while we're away." She trusted Meta Knight the most with Kirby's well being more than anyone else in the village...
"Well, yes...but I will have to see what I can do; I cannot always take time out of my day just for him, and His Majesty might request my presence at times."
Fumu scoffed. "You know how Dedede is. He'll be fine without you once in a while. Plus, 'Holy Nightmare' is gone…and not going to cause trouble anytime soon."
"Fumu..." Meta Knight spoke in a serious tone. "Even if these are times of peace, there will always be something to disturb it eventually…"
"I-I guess you're right...but that's a little bit of a paranoid mindset, don't you think?" the young girl challenged.
Meta Knight turned slightly without answering that and instead went back to the subject at hand. "…When exactly do you plan on leaving?"
"Sometime this weekend. So you'll have time to think about this, I guess," Fumu answered, almost sheepishly. "If you really can't do it, I'll figure something else out."
Meta Knight was quiet. Fumu bit her lip; perhaps he might refuse. It might have been a little bit of a stretch to ask him to do something so mundane and ironic to the type of person he was...
"...I'll let you know my answer tomorrow morning, Fumu, so you will not have to wait very long in case you need someone else for the task."
Fumu smiled. "Thank you for at least considering it."
Meta Knight only nodded his head and walked back to his quarters.
The TV screen flashed the images of the show on the only channel it had: Channel DDD. Why it was still running now that Dedede didn't really have much to go on about after all that had happened in the past year was beyond Meta Knight, but as it was the only show, he, Sword and Blade might as well watch it before going to bed.
"Sir," Sword said, glancing at his lord, whom had been awfully quiet. "What was it that Miss Fumu wanted to see you about?"
"A request regarding Kirby," the Star Warrior said simply; an answer so blunt, yet so vague.
"What about him?" Blade asked. "...If I may ask...?"
"She wishes for me to act as his guardian while her family is on vacation. However, I am still thinking about whether or not I should actually agree to do it. Kirby has been just fine and has grown very much in the time he has been here in Dreamland."
"Yes, my lord..." Sword and Blade looked at each other. Meta Knight, a babysitter? That was what Fumu had asked of him? Odd. After all, Meta Knight was a warrior who had fought for the galaxy's sake many years ago. For him to do something like babysitting was...almost unthinkable. Although, it was Kirby they were talking about...yes, though Kirby was very powerful, he was still an infant in many senses. He still couldn't even speak, for the stars' sake…
"Well, what choice are you leaning towards?"
Meta Knight's eyes seemed to narrow from under his mask, briefly flickering a thoughtful green. "...I am still unsure..."
Sword and Blade watched as their lord shut off the TV with the remote, and hopped down from his seat. He headed towards his bed. "We should sleep now. Good night, Sword, Blade."
"Uh, good night, sir..."
Meta Knight climbed into his bed, armor and all, and lay down, quiet. Sword and Blade were unsure if he had actually fallen asleep that quickly, but they lay down to sleep nonetheless. It was best not to bother Meta Knight at this point. They had to let him think for himself and accept whatever choices he would make.
The war was over. The Galaxy Soldier Army had failed to overthrow Nightmare. Despite that, the destruction the war had caused was already undergoing recovery. But Meta Knight knew that though the war was over, this grim tranquility would only be temporary, as Holy Nightmare already had most of the galaxy in his hands. It would only be so long before the entire Galaxy was in his control and thus, be ruined forever. The only chance possible to subdue him at last would be for the Star Warriors to rise again.
However, Meta Knight was alone. Any other surviving Star Warriors were lost and beyond contact, if there were any at all. He himself had not survived unscathed. He lost his wings in one of the battles…he wouldn't stand a chance against the demon alone.
The universe needed new Star Warriors, new ones with unique abilities that could rise up easily against Nightmare. Though the next generation was…not ready. They were too young. It was before the end of the war that one of the final acts of the GSA was to see off the young warriors into the depths of space in safety until they were ready to fight. But before then, they would need to sleep to reach maturity. Yes...the new generation of Star Warriors wouldn't be ready now. They had to slumber...
He wasn't sure how long it would be before he could see any one of them again. He might not be able to fight at all at that point, and could probably only mentor them.
However, surely, he would see to it that they would be ready to take down Nightmare. They had to be…especially since among this new generation was one certain Star Warrior destined to be their leader and the one to fell Nightmare with his own hands.
He was willing to live on just for that sake.
Fumu sighed as she watched from a bench Bun run around with Kirby in a game of tag.
"Catch me if you can, Kirby! Hahaha!"
"Poyo, poyo!" the pink warrior cried merrily. Fumu put her chin in her hand. If Meta Knight refused, who would keep Kirby company? The village children played too roughly with him. And though he could keep himself occupied from time to time, she didn't want him to try and play with the other children constantly and have them abuse their friendships with him. He never managed to learn entirely when to understand when people hurt him or made fun of him.
Kirby came to a stop at the sight of Fumu and called out to her, concerned. "Poyo?"
The minister's daughter gasped and shook her head. "Oh, Kirby, I'm alright. I'm just thinking, that's all. I'm gonna really miss you while we're away."
Kirby smiled and waved his small arms. "Poyyy, poyo!" He was just so innocent at heart and surely was trying to cheer her up. Fumu smiled fondly at the young hero.
"Thanks, Kirby. I'll try not to mope so much."
"Yeah, you're no fun when you have your lower lip out all the time!" Bun cried. Fumu huffed, folding her arms.
"I'm no fun to you most the time, though, aren't I?"
"I didn't mean it like that, Sis, jeez. C'mon, Kirby, you're still it!"
"Poyo!" Kirby remembered the game of tag and ran along after Bun merrily. Fumu watched them for a bit longer until a voice called softly from behind her.
"Fumu. I have my answer for you about your request."
"Oh! S-Sir Meta Knight!" She jumped down from the bench and made her way to the blue-clad knight. "Well, what's your answer?"
Meta Knight seemed to wrap his cape more tightly around himself. "...I have thought about it overnight...and I accept. I will stay by Kirby once in a while, even if I cannot always be there for him."
Fumu gasped, a smile spreading across her face. "Thank you, Sir Meta Knight! I'm sure Kirby will very much appreciate it!" She glanced back at the children playing, and shouted. "Bun, stop running so fast, you made Kirby trip again!" She smiled sheepishly as she turned to apologize to Meta Knight, but stopped, surprised.
He had vanished.
"Why does he keep doing that...?"
A baby...this particular Star Warrior was just a baby. He had NOT remembered wrong...Kirby had indeed woken up early. Now that he checked...it was 200 years early. He wasn't even close to maturity... How could a baby stand up to Nightmare? By now Nightmare must be aware of his presence...perhaps plotting to…
Meta Knight had to make sure they didn't attack Kirby; not while he still had much to learn...losing this particular Star Warrior would be disastrous for the universe. No, not just the universe...The fact he was an infant was cruel within itself.
No, no. No, that was the reason he himself had willed himself to live; he was supposed to mentor the Star Warriors once they were awake! Yes, that had been his original intention. Kirby would be no exception, even if he was this young and knew practically nothing-
Just a mentor. Forget the fact he is an infant. Nightmare cared not how old or young his victims had been, and he would make no changes for Kirby. So, he too, would have to train Kirby with a similar mindset if he was to stand a chance...
Just...why did it have to be so early?
"Sir! Sir! Are you alright?"
Meta Knight looked up at his knaves, who were watching him worriedly. "You…haven't touched your dinner..."
"...Right, I apologize. I was...lost in thought." Meta Knight reached for his fork.
"Surely you are not..." Blade could hardly believe he dared himself to say it. "...nervous about the job?"
Meta Knight said nothing, but Sword and Blade could both see him briefly pause before lifting his fork to eat through his mask.
"...I have seen many things and challenged myself numerous times over in my lifetime as a Star Warrior...but this is one thing I hadn't bothered myself to consider. I never thought I would need to..." He closed his eyes briefly before returning to his food. "...I think I just might be...yes, you are right...but it is not going to stop me."
"I'm leaving now, Kirby," Fumu said, patting the pink puffball's head. "You be good while I'm away, okay? I'll be back before you know it!"
"Poyoooo!" Kirby hugged the elder girl, nuzzling her affectionately, as a way of saying good luck. Fumu laughed, returning the embrace before letting go and waving bye, finally hurrying after her parents and a sniveling Bun. "Oh, Bun, it's only for three weeks… Byyye Kirby!"
Kirby waved as the family headed down the road, and eventually out of sight when they reached a fork in the road. He turned away, knowing very well he would miss them, but Fumu had promised they would come back, and that was good enough for him, especially since he knew nothing could hurt them right now.
He decided to hum to himself as he walked on the road back to his house. Perhaps he could find something to do while Fumu and Bun were away.
The child stopped on the side of the road and looked up, a tree having caught his attention. And it wasn't just any tree, but a tree with fruit! Specifically, it was a banana tree.
Kirby loved eating more than anything (well, besides being with his friends). What else was there to do other than shake the tree and have some? Kirby smiled and let out a delighted "Poyo!" and did just that.
The bananas fell on the ground beside him in a pile. He sat down next to it and took them, peeling off the skin and helping himself. Kirby munched on them and stared up at the clouds.
...How peculiar, he thought. It would be by far more fun to share these bananas with someone but Fumu and Bun were already long gone, and Tokkori wasn't going to be back for another few weeks with whatever he was up to. Kirby looked at the pile of bananas. There were too many to carry alone, and he didn't have much at his disposal to help him carry them along with him. Perhaps he could inhale them up and then spit them back out for someone who might want any in Pupu Village? Oh, but they didn't like to take the food he offered. They always insisted he help himself, as they knew Kirby was simply unaware of the ethics they had about already consumed food.
Kirby sighed. He would really HAVE to eat them alone.
"Kirby. What are you doing out here by yourself? Or were you coming back to the village after saying goodbye to Fumu and her family?"
Kirby nearly gave a start, but he recognized that low, mellow voice anywhere. He turned, his mouth shaping into a delighted smile. "Poyo!" It was Meta Knight, and he was perched up on a ledge staring at Kirby.
"I see you have...managed to entertain your own appetite well enough by yourself."
Kirby smiled and waved at Meta Knight to come over and have some bananas, too. He took one from the pile as the fellow Star Warrior began making his way over and held it out to him. Meta Knight stared at the fruit. "...I think I will pass for now, but thank you."
Kirby continued to hold it out, still sporting a merry smile. Meta Knight could not contain a sigh and took it, taking a seat carefully beside Kirby, slowly peeling the fruit. He watched as Kirby ate the other bananas quickly, not bothering to chew once or twice per banana. Then again, Kirby did not have teeth…
"You are a powerful warrior, Kirby," Meta Knight mused. "Yet you still want to occupy yourself with food and playtime whenever possible."
Kirby didn't appear to understand his point, still chowing away at what was left of the banana pile.
Meta Knight took a bite of his banana through his mask. This, Kirby noticed.
Kirby hadn't exactly realized until now, but Meta Knight always wore his mask, every day and every night, even while eating...or what he had seen of him eating. Perhaps the man even wore it while sleeping. Wasn't it difficult to do that? Kirby stood up, looking at Meta Knight intensely. The other individual stared back.
"Is something the matter?"
Kirby reached forward and tried to pull off the mask. Meta Knight responded by lightly slapping away Kirby's hands. "Please do not do that."
"Poyo..." Kirby rubbed his paw with the other, having not expected that kind of reaction from his mentor.
"I can eat just fine, if that was your concern..."
Kirby puffed his cheeks and sat back down to finish the bananas. He had admittedly been curious to see what Meta Knight's face was like underneath the mask, too. However, his mentor seemed very set on keeping it on. He would have to let it go...for now, at least. One day, the child thought to himself, one day for sure he would figure it out.
Meta Knight was quiet. Of all people he didn't want to see what he looked like under the mask, Kirby was the one he didn't want to know the most-especially in the off chance the child reacted negatively if he saw the face underneath.
Kirby finished the last banana and made a small noise of contentment. Meta Knight decided it was time to guide him back home. "Alright, child. It's time to go back..." He paused when Kirby did not stand up. "...Kirby?" He turned and was quick to find out the pink ball had fallen asleep. "You will fall asleep anywhere." He again took a seat beside the young Star Warrior, sighing. "What have I let myself into...?"
"...Kabu sees you are troubled...Sir Meta Knight cannot hide everything with that mask..."
"...Of course not."
"Tell Kabu what your troubles are...So that I may try to ease them."
"...I swore to stand by and only act as a mentor...stepping in only when necessary."
"Is this about Kirby?" The knight paused when Kabu asked. It was no use making it vague; the sage knew already.
"...It is difficult...and enough so when he is not even out of infancy."
"Sir Meta Knight cares for Kirby."
If anyone could see him under his mask, they would have seen the grimace he took on when Kabu made the comment.
"...Fumu is his guardian. She is all he needs-"
"Kirby cares for Sir Meta Knight, too."
"...I cannot let him close to me. There is no need..." He felt himself leaving the valley to return to the castle.
"...Sir Meta Knight cannot hide his troubles forever. Kabu wishes you to be able to know what your limits are."
...But what was he supposed to do about that?
"Poyo...Poyo!" Kirby waved his hand in front of Meta Knight's face. The knight was in some sort of daze, having not reacted when Kirby awoke, but surely he wasn't asleep. Kirby was starting to worry. He dared get closer and slightly nudged Meta Knight. "Poyoooo!"
Meta Knight gave an uncharacteristic start. "...Ah, I...I apologize, Kirby. I was thinking about…something..."
Kirby frowned, still visibly concerned for him. "Meh...mehhhnn...t'nah...poyuuu…"
Meta Knight looked up, surprised by the gibberish Kirby was spouting other than "Poyo".
"Me-meh? Meh-nah?" Kirby managed to spout, poking Meta Knight. Meta Knight realized, with alarm, Kirby was trying to say his name. Of course...
"...I'm fine, Kirby," he said, rising up, and wrapping his cloak around himself once more. His answer was enough for Kirby, who then gained a smile again and responded with a small, "Poyo, poooy!"
Meta Knight began walking. "Come, little one. You should head back to your home." Kirby responded with another happy cry and was practically skipping after Meta Knight. He sighed a bit, once more, but quietly so as to not make Kirby worry over him again. That wasn't necessary.
Child, you have survived so many horrors, but you are still able to act like none of it happened most of the time. I envy you.
Kirby began singing as they walked along. "Poyo, poyooo~! Pooooy! Poyo, poyo, poooooy~!"
Meta Knight knew his singing wasn't the best, but, dare he think it, it was adorable...well, at least when he wasn't Mike Kirby. That would have been...disastrous.
"After I take you back, I must return to the castle. Do you understand, Kirby?"
Kirby stopped singing and visibly pouted, clearly disappointed his mentor couldn't stay longer, but nodded anyway. Meta Knight noticed this and paused. "...I will be back tomorrow, however. Would you like that?"
Kirby bounced in the air, cheerfully. "Poy, poooooy!"
Meta Knight turned back ahead, trying and failing to resist a smile of amusement, even if Kirby could not see it through the mask. Just for this brief time, I suppose it could be nice to just...be with him.
It was the next day, and despite himself, Meta Knight's thoughts were mainly about visiting Kirby. It hadn't been half-bad spending time with the young Star Warrior the day earlier.
Ah, yes, but he did promise he'd be back, so he might as well, anyway.
"Sword, Blade," he spoke, hearing their armor clank behind him. "I'll be off for a few hours. If His Majesty needs me, find me to let me know."
"You are going to visit Kirby again?" Sword asked.
"I made a promise," Meta Knight replied, and began heading down the halls.
Sword and Blade looked at each other. They each knew full well that Meta Knight had long since grown attached to Kirby since the baby Star Warrior landed in Dreamland, although how attached was left to interpretation... Was he spending time with Kirby purely by Fumu's request, or was it that combined with a personal desire to do so?
...It was best not to ask. Their lord had always been best at avoiding questions and jabs at what he was thinking.
Meta Knight himself seemed to have a hard time admitting to himself that he really did like being around Kirby for reasons other than training. Was it perhaps because of what happened in the past…?
Ah. He was almost about to walk in the streets publicly; that wouldn't do. He made a turn away from the main streets and began heading towards Kirby's hill from the alleyways. He'd much rather avoid running into the populace and encountering needless distractions.
That child...I wonder why I'm allowing myself to do this...He develops better under harsher circumstances-
No. No, no, that was wrong. That was the regimen for training Kirby in battle. Kirby being left alone more frequently resulted in his loneliness, and that always ended badly, such as when it had been the first anniversary when he had arrived in Dreamland, in which he had tried to run away from feeling neglected. Meta Knight had been there to visit Kabu, and had found the child with a travel sack and ready to leave the town.
Perhaps that was what Fumu had been referring to while she requested Meta Knight to watch over him. Hah, she always thought ahead...
Kirby's hill was just ahead. He could not see the pink Star Warrior in Tokkori's tree, so this time he fell asleep in his actual bed. Meta Knight needed to have a talk with him about sleeping in Tokkori's tree sometime, regardless that he enjoyed it...it would probably help with Fumu trying to convince him of the same thing.
He knocked on the door. "Kirby. It is me."
There wasn't an answer. Was Kirby out of the house? To check, Meta Knight opened the door(had the Cappies even made a lock for it when they built it?) and peered at the bed.
Kirby was fast asleep under his covers. Meta Knight resisted a sigh and made his way over. It was nearly noon and the child was still sleeping?
"Kirby, wake up, please." Meta Knight lightly rapped the pink warrior's forehead.
Kirby's vivid blue eyes opened, and he yawned tiredly. He noticed Meta Knight at his bedside, and waved his small arms merrily. "Poyo...Poooy!"
Meta Knight could not help himself once again and smiled slightly behind his mask. Kirby was pleased to see him.
"I told you I'd come by again."
"Poooy, poyo, poooy!" Kirby jumped down from his bed, took ahold of Meta Knight's hand and began trying to drag him out of the house. "Pooy!"
"N-now Kirby, where do you plan to take me? You didn't even make your bed." Meta Knight paused. Now that sounded like something Fumu, or by extension, a parent would say. Was he turning soft? The child was already managing to make him smile behind his mask.
Kirby blinked, and ran to the bed, but forgot to let go of Meta Knight's hand, resulting in the glove coming off. Meta Knight acted fast and quickly hid his ungloved hand under his cape. Kirby looked at his hand and dropped the glove in surprise, mistaking it for accidentally pulling off Meta Knight's hand. "Pooooyoooo, Poooooooy!" he shrieked, eyes wide.
Meta knight picked up the glove with his other hand and put it back on with his back turned to Kirby. If he were to get any indication of who I was...
Kirby looked worried as Meta Knight turned back around. "You're alright, Kirby."
Kirby sighed with relief, then hurried to tend to his bed, and within minutes, finished setting it up for the next night...although still slightly wrinkled. Well, the effort was what counted, here... "Poy!"
Meta Knight nodded. "Now, for where you wished to go..." Kirby made a delighted cry and ran to his mentor, taking his other hand this time and guiding him out into the fields. "Meh-nah, poyo!"
Meta Knight let him guide him down away from Pupu Village and towards the direction of the beach. Clearly, Kirby felt like playing there for today...but perhaps he could convince Kirby later to train with him. Unless other people joined them to play at the beach, then it would have to wait.
Kirby glanced Meta Knight's way, and beamed. Meta Knight was slightly taken aback by the random gesture.
...Well, maybe they could train tomorrow for sure. He wasn't one to slack off, no, he didn't like to slack off very much, but the child was so eager to relax with him...Just this once.
Meta Knight didn't say it aloud, but he felt rather content.
Kirby...one day you will have to mature completely as a Star Warrior. You can't always enjoy this leisure, even if Nightmare has been subdued for now. The universe will always need Star Warriors...but only for this time, I'll allow this, because you are a child...I cannot rob you of something most of our kind were not as lucky to have...
They had reached the beach, finally. Kirby laughed and began running around in the sand as Meta Knight watched him. Sometimes he would find a pretty seashell and run to Meta Knight and place it in front of him, as if to present them to him. To please the young Star Warrior, Meta Knight nodded each time he brought one over and would say things like, "It is a pretty one," and "Very nice". Kirby would always be happy with each little comment and run off to find more.
Kirby did come across a conch that was being inhabited by a hermit crab and cried out with pain when it pinched his hand for trying to take its home. Kirby ran to Meta Knight and showed him the red spot, teary-eyed.
"Now Kirby," Meta Knight said. "You have battled powerful monsters who have hurt you far worse, but here, you're asking me to treat a little pinch?" He wasn't Fumu, who would have rushed to Kirby's aid with an exasperated laugh, and would have said something like, "Oh, Kirby, you really need to be more careful, you silly thing."
"Poyo," the little pink warrior said with a sniffle. Meta Knight rolled his eyes slightly and took Kirby's hand, gently rubbing it.
"You'll be fine. It'll go away."
Kirby suddenly took ahold of Meta Knight's hand before the other warrior could let go. He looked to the younger Star Warrior, confused. He opened his mouth and only got out a "Wha-?" before Kirby walked forward and gave him a hug.
Meta Knight froze, caught by surprise with the sudden affectionate gesture. "...Kirby?"
Kirby nuzzled him, letting out numerous happy "poyo"s. Meta Knight looked around, a bit worried about someone spotting them like this. He wasn't upset by their display, just…flustered.
Kirby closed his eyes, smiling. Meta Knight looked down at him, acutely aware of their size difference. "...Was this your plan?"
Kirby did not reply, though neither did he let go of Meta Knight. The elder Star Warrior sighed and allowed himself to pat Kirby on the head.
"You're really attached to me too, aren't you...?"
Kirby tucked himself under Meta Knight's arm and sat down like that. He didn't make an indication that he would be leaving Meta Knight's side anytime soon. Apparently, this was his answer.
Meta Knight's eyes glowed blue. "...Just this once."
A/N: Well, uh, this is my first submission here! Though I should mention that though this is technically my first Kirby fanfiction, I also had this posted some time ago on my deviantArt account of the same name. This is actually a revision of that one. If you bother to go check, a few things have been heavily changed, the flashbacks in particular. I'm not entirely satisfied with those sequences, but...you win some you lose some, I suppose.
That's enough from me, now, I don't want this to be longer than it needs to be. So, uh, tell me what you think! Please and thank you!