Woo! Long Chapter! I won't be here for a bit as I have exams but if you PM me I will answer!

Caroline – I think this will be around 150-170 Chapters long? I know. It was originally going to be 250 but nope! I will hopefully finish this in a few years ;-; I made a promise to finish this (unless I die or something horrible) so that's what I will do. Hopefully I will finish this before I turn 18 haha. It doesn't really matter how many chapters a story is, quality over quantity! I will be excited to read yours if you post it on here!

Moonstripe the Great – Right about that! Poor Dawnpaw! Hmm I can't spoil anything about the journey, but what do you think they will find when they arrive at their destination? Dawnpaw is a hard case to crack, but there is no such thing as good or evil, so I guess Dawnpaw isn't evil?

Answer the questions at the end! If you want to see what some characters look like, I'm doing a 100 Warrior Cat OC Challenge, I'm up to 20? I think? Check out my DeviantArt xMysticWolf78x.

Enjoy this chapter, sorry I won't post for a month or so ;-; (Stupid camps and exams!)

Chapter 46

Redpaw's POV

The brittle dirt and rock crumbled beneath her paw, her soft pads exposed to the unnatural harsh terrain. Redpaw bit her lip, keeping herself quiet. The other Clan cats would be hurting too, as the youngest she didn't want to look like a weakling. "You're going well" Mattice encouraged nosing Redpaw's flank. The tabby was the 'whip' as Pip explained, they encouraged the cats too keep going and brought up the rear.

"I'm alright" Redpaw protested and quickened her pace till she was beside Snakefang and Ravenheart.

"Let's take a break" Wind called his blue eyes matching the clear sky. "There should be some puddles from last night that haven't evaporated." The rain fell cruelly the night before, the ten cats evacuated to squeeze into a rock outlook. Now the sun was hot, and the cats were getting tired quicker. How do Snakefang and Ravenheart bear the heat? I wish I had a lighter coat like Wind or Clara.

Redpaw collapsed on the rough ground, a billow of dust rising into the warm air, causing Redpaw to sneeze. The rocks they were walking on had even more dust than what her Clan was named for. Her breathing also hadn't completely eased either, leaving the red and grey cat slightly worried.

She had eaten some tansy Cloverpaw had recommended her, which made it only a little better. It must be the dust here, and we are all tired leaving us weaker. I never thought there would be this much walking and we are only a few days in. I hope StarClan is watching over us now.

"Are you all ready?" Clara asked. These travellers are non-stop! Redpaw waddled to a puddle and lapped at the shiny surface her muscles burning.

"Yep" Rowanclaw croaked and Redpaw watched the Clanmates wearily rise and start to follow Wind who lead the cats towards the sun.

"We're almost at our rest point" Pip squeaked her fluffy creamy-yellow short tail flicking in excitement bounding along the irritable and tired Clan cats. How does she still have this much energy? We've been travelling since dawn and the moon is starting to rise. Redpaw glanced at the moon through the foliage of the trees. They had not had a break since the last leg of the mountain, now they were on top, trees thick which was a relief from the barren rocks and dirt.

"Just around this bend and across the stream."

Redpaw looked at Icestrike questions and fear in their eyes. Both cats had bad experiences with the swirling currents and many cats were uncomfortable with swimming.

"Is there another way around the river?" Icestrike asked Mattice.

"What can't you swim?"

"N-No!" the blueish she cat admitted. "In DustClan most cats aren't taught, only Snakefang can swim out of us."

"Well if you want to walk until Moon-high to get around a few puddles have fun with that" Mattice purred. When she saw the mentor's scowl she quickly reassured that they would find a way.

"We're at the crossing" Clara called from ahead. Redpaw nervously glanced ahead. The stream was far too wide to jump and too deep to walk in but there was very little current. How bad could this be? Redpaw thought but still subconsciously stepped backwards into Ravenheart.

"It's alright" the black she-cat purred. "Frankly, I don't want to get my paws wet either,"

"Let's figure out an order" Wind meowed. "I know some of you don't like water, but swimming is simple, it's just like running but without the ground." Redpaw almost laughed sarcastically out loud. Yes, and some idiots would say flying is just like running without the ground too fleabrain.

"Is anyone afraid of water?"

Ha my calling Redpaw thought bitterly.

"Redpaw and I are" Icestrike grudgingly meowed. No cat, especially Clan Cats liked showing their weaknesses.

"That's okay" Clara meowed interrupting what Wind was about to say. "Kahn stay close to Icestrike" she meowed nodding to the large tom. "And I'll stay near you Redpaw" she purred looking towards the apprentice. Redpaw suddenly felt her ear tips burn and looked away from Clara's intense gaze. She ignored whatever Wind was ordering and watched as Pip and Snakefang easily paddled across river, Ravenheart struggling but managing at their sides.

"Rowanclaw I'll stay near you" Mattice meowed somewhat seductively. "Just keep your head up and breathe." Redpaw bit her lip as Rowanclaw suddenly went under the swift gurgle of the stream but almost immediately bobbed back up.

"You looked like a dying vole" his best friend teased nudging the red tom's wet shoulder when he returned to land.

"Shut up Snakefang" Rowanclaw purred accidentally shoving into the recovering Ravenheart. "I'm not ShadeClan that's for sure."

"Are you ready?" Clara asked leading Redpaw to the edge of the grass. Redpaw gulped not realising Wind had already gone. "Don't worry, I'm in the water with you and Kahn is ready to jump in at any moment."

"What you scared?" Pip teased from across the water. Redpaw fought the urge to snap back at the arrogant furball and instead pushed away her fear and plunged into the water kicking dirt behind her.

Redpaw opened her eyes the blurred blue overwhelming her senses her mind borderline panicking. Images of when she had recklessly jumped into the torrent of the river that separated the feuding Clans and had met her love, the tom who saved her.

Bubbles swarmed around her bringing her back to the present and Redpaw choked on the water rushing into her lungs until teeth met her scruff and she was ripped from the eerie quiet of the water.

"Keep your head up Redpaw! I'll do the rest" Clara yowled guiding and dragging Redpaw across the small current. Redpaw scrambled her paws flailing as she felt the squishy feel of mud underpaw and sprinted out of the water.

Redpaw felt her throat tense up and spat out the excess water in her lungs. "How long was I under for?" she panted blinking gratefully at Snakefang groomed her wet fur.

"Only a few heartbeats" Clara replied. "I would have been in sooner if you hadn't flicked dirt into my eyes" she purred. "What matters is that you're safe, let's just be wary of water from now on."

"Redpaw!" Icestrike yowled as she made it to land. "That is the second most stupid thing I've seen you do! If Clara wasn't there you could have drowned like you almost did moons ago!"

Redpaw stood quietly, shocked, as her mentor rambled on about water and its dangers. Redpaw watched Icestrike's green eyes. The pupil was still small, showing her fear of the water, they had both just faced. Redpaw dropped her gaze to her paws in embarrassment for the scene she caused. I wonder if she was even worried about me.

"I don't know when you are going to get this into your fluff-filled head but one day there is going to be no cat there to save you!"

Redpaw glanced into her mentor's eyes once more. Tears? She's crying.

"I-I'm sorry" Redpaw whispered.

"It was a mistake" Rowanclaw reasoned with the blue she cat. "We'll all make sure to look after her-"

"She's not a kit anymore!" Icestrike yowled. She swung her head to face her apprentices, green eyes blazing and Redpaw braced herself for the beating from her angry mentor. "One more big mistake and you're out."

Redpaw heard Mattice gasp and Redpaw cringed at Icestrike's words. "I don't care if I have to drag you home! Focus and act to your age, not like a mewling kit without her mother!"

"Excuse me?" Redpaw glared at Icestrike and took a step forward her claws unsheathed. The Clan cats all froze. Redpaw didn't recognise her voice. The unfamiliar tone was deeper, it was darker, and it frightened herself.

"It's been a long day" Wind meowed stepping between the she cats. "Let's find somewhere to rest and spend the night."

Redpaw whirled away and followed Clara into the thin forest her fur fluffed up. She could faintly hear Pip and Mattice whispering. Whispering about her. Icestrike walked on the outskirts of the group her head down and the three remaining Clan cats walked in silence occasionally exchanging glances, an unspoken conversation that only the three denmates understood.

The travellers found a place to sleep, small bushes big enough for a cat or two to shield them from the heavy winds. Redpaw found a bush far away from the others that was not too prickly and settled in it wrapping her tail around her body trying not to cry. She missed Gingerfur, she missed Lizardclaw, she missed her sisters, she missed home.

"Redpaw?" a soothing voice asked. Redpaw squeezed her eyes closed to erase any evidence of tears.

"Yes?" her voice cracked. Please don't be Icestrike she repeated in her mind.

"It's me, Clara. Can I come in? All the other bushes are either not comfortable or taken" she purred.

"Sure. Whatever"

Redpaw heard the grey she cat enter and settle down next to Redpaw. "Can… Can I stay the night here? If there is enough room and stuff like that" she added on quickly.

Redpaw felt herself tense up. What am I doing? Just relax she doesn't have anywhere else to go.

"Y-yeah sure" Redpaw shirted to make room for the larger cat.

"Thanks. Goodnight Redpaw" Clara murmured. Redpaw felt her leg tense as Clara laid her tail there. It seemed sparks flew up her leg from the light grey-white she cat's touch. What is wrong with me? Why can't I relax when she's near me?! Redpaw opened her blue eye and purred as the older cat was already fast asleep gently snoring.

"Goodnight Clara" she whispered and let the soothing darkness take her away.

Awwww! Redpaw is growing up! Icestrike was such a *caring* bitch this chapter! "Act to your age, not like a mewling kit without her mother!"- That was such a low blow to Redpaw and Snakey, Raven and Rowan knew it! Of course, the travellers have no idea what is going on.

Also slight foreshadowing in this chapter! Also Redpaw like hates Pip lol. There will be reasons revealed shortly.

Ahghghgh I love Rowan, Snakey and Raven moments! Honestly I love them so much.

Q: Anyone like Hamilton? Loving the Soundtrack and have a few future PMV ideas based on Warriors of DustClan with them! One including History Has Its Eyes On You.

Q: Who is your favourite traveller? (Not Clan Cat) I love Kahn and Clara.

Q: Who is your favourite cat(s) on the journey? (Including Clan Cats) Mine is Snakeyfang and Rowanbaby and Redpaw and Clara.

Bye guys! Thank for reading! I love you all so much. Thanks for 200 reviews 3

I will be back in a month or so, I upload a lot more art than writing these days so if you want to see scenes of these babies go to my DA.