Chapter 39: Cruel to Be Kind
Dustpelt saw the three return. More specifically he saw how Darkstripe looked at Longtail and Swiftpaw. He wasn't afraid. It almost looked like the old Darkstripe until he saw the other cats in the camp. It was almost a complete reversion. His loose stance suddenly stiffened. His clear eyes glossed with easy to read fear. His fur somehow looked more ungroomed than it had a second ago. It was actually Darkstripe's posture that led to some parts looking patchier. It was a pitiful stance that Dustpelt and many who knew Darkstripe loathed. They hated how weak it made Darkstripe look and act.
Dustpelt pondered how he'd get into Darkstripe's new inner circle of trust. He hadn't been Darkstripe's apprentice as long as Longtail. He didn't share that intimacy. He didn't have an apprentice to bond over. He needed to ponder how he would help. What would be the best way to recover who Darkstripe was?
That night He dreamed of how he was trained.
"Come on Dusty! Remember your honor! Warriors don't suddenly pull claws in training!"
"You were too noisy Dusty. You could have got that mouse, but you weren't mindful of your surroundings like a loner fresh on the territory."
"Are you upset at how hard this is Dustkit? If you want to survive as a warrior, you can't just give up when things are hard."
He woke with an idea. It may initially dredge up negative memories, but maybe Darkstripe needs some cat to push him. He'd have to anger Darkstripe. He'd have to push his buttons. He'd have to be annoying, but as he learned from Darkstripe, adversity is the quickest path to change.
Dustpelt made his way to Fireheart.
"I want the next patrol with Darkstripe."
"Are you sure? I thought Longtail and Swiftpaw would take him again."
"Doesn't matter what he wants. I'm taking him on patrol. I can't be gentle like Longtail. I only know one way to help him, and I ask you don't stop me even if it seems cruel. It's what he needs."
Fireheart felt torn. He didn't want Darkstripe to hurt more, but Dustpelt probably knew what he's doing. He silently relented. It was for Darkstripe's own good.
Dustpelt found Darkstripe resting near the barriers of the camp. He made his move after some hesitance. It felt awful to maintain a condescending tone, but it was the role he'd be playing.
"Get up. We're going on patrol."
"Can't you just leave me alone?"
"I'm sorry Darkkit. Was I ruining your nap?" Replied Dustpelt in pure sarcasm.
"Don't call me that." Mewed Darkstripe softly.
"What was that? I thought I heard a kit mewling."
"I said don't call me that!" Replied Darkstripe sharply. His eyes locked on Dustpelt's eyes or rather what his mind conjured to be his eyes. They weren't the typical green or yellow. They were instead the pale yellow that he knew were his eyes.
"You cry and moan like a kit. You hide in the camp like a kit. You refuse to do your duties like a kit. How are you not a kit?"
Darkstripe looked away beginning to fume. He shoved his way past Dustpelt heading towards the camp entrance. Dustpelt almost watched him go before the tabby turned back to him.
"Are you coming? You wanted me to do my job so I'm doing it." He hissed aggressively. The tabby was currently mad enough that he didn't even realize he wasn't seeing the eyes right now. He only saw Dustpelt who had mocked him.
"I'm coming!" Dustpelt responded more joyfully.
The two left camp and started to circle the territory. Darkstripe walked with an angry hunch that Dustpelt was familiar with. It wasn't quite what he wanted to see Darkstripe return to, but it was better than mopey Darkstripe. Dustpelt found himself outpaced by the grumpy warrior. It was surprising given how long Darkstripe was out of practice.
Darkstripe threw back a jeer. "Having trouble back there 'Dustpaw'? I thought I trained you better."
"Like you are any better mister grumpy paws. Look at you storming ahead. You're like a kit with a temper tantrum."
Darkstripe was strangely happy to be in any other mood than distressed. Being angry was simple. It didn't take much thought. Darkstripe didn't even realize he was calming down.
"Please. You were worse when I just got you as an apprentice. You were so sure that you didn't need me. I know I could never replace Redtail, but you didn't give me a chance. You were a stubborn brat until I humbled you at the training grounds."
"It wasn't actually when you beat me in training did I realize I misjudged you."
"Really?"
"I tailed you soon after I got apprenticed to you because I was suspicious of you. You were on less patrols than any other warrior, but you still were never in camp. It was after witnessing one of your deals did I realize how much you were really doing. I tried to follow you all day, but I ended up losing you part way through. I returned to camp exhausted while you returned a while later and still wanted to take me training. You looked so unyielding with how you did so much. It made me realize that being a warrior was more complex than trying to become deputy. Each cat contributes in their own way. So why are you giving up now? The Darkstripe I know could never be taken down by fear."
"That Darkstripe is just an ideal."
"Maybe so, but it's the one I choose to believe is real. It's the one that is my idol. It's the one I want to be like. Don't take that from me. I want the old you back. Please just try, for me, for Cloudpaw, for Longtail, heck even for Fireheart. We all want to see you get better. I know it's hard, but the old Darkstripe taught me a warrior does not give up even when things are hard."
Darkstripe's fiery pride was reignited. It was smoldering and dim, but it was there. His mind raced as he recalled how there were still cats in the clan that cared for him. The eyes lost their piercing power when he remembered he was not alone. He remembered Longtail, the unmoving. He was like a boulder jutting from a river. Forces would crash against him and yet he would not move forcing them to instead turn away instead. He remembered Cloudpaw the clever. Cloudpaw always knew a cat's emotional state and was way to clever to be that young. He'd some day be leader of the dealers. There was Cinderpaw the New Leaf. Despite all that went wrong with her, she had the strength to change. There was Swiftpaw, the tiny hero. He'd have to someday face reality, but Darkstripe hoped it wasn't soon. Finally, there was Dustpelt, master and apprentice. He strove to be the best, but that did not stop him from realizing there is always more to learn. Darkstripe was not alone. Even with The Eyes filling the camp, he didn't think he'd need to be afraid anymore. He still didn't trust those with The Eyes, but maybe he could be Darkstripe again.