Hello guys! Sorry about the long wait. Again. We're all swamped by schoolwork and as you can see we've been unavailableon here. But this finished a while ago, so without further ado, I present to you the contest entries. Vote for the ones that you like the best!

~Blaze

Prompt: Write a one-shot using characters from our fanfiction, Curse of the Clans!

Had it only been four seasons? Sprout lay on her side, panting heavily as a strong ripple passed along her belly. She screamed as the stick splintered in her teeth. Splinters stuck between her teeth like toothpicks, but Sprout didn't care about it as snow came down in sheets. Lightning streaked the sky as a white tom appeared beside her.

"Hold on," He murmured. Sprout locked eyes with Stripepelt, memories flashing between the two cats.

"How many are there?" She asked through gritted teeth as silver she-cat ran her paws across Sprout's belly. "It's so tiny," Shallowstream whispered, her voice unheard against the pelting snow. "I said how many are there?" Sprout shrieked.

"Just one!" Shallowstream yowled so Sprout could hear her.

"Oh good grief! So much pain for a single kit!" She snarled angrily as a powerful ripple crossed her belly. A look of pure anguish crossed her face. The snow was now up to Stripepelt's knees, almost able to cover the body of Sprout. Stripepelt began digging at the snow, clearing it away from the fragile, birthing, she-cat. Sprout screeched as her belly convulsed. She raised her head feebly, pressing her muzzle to Stripepelt's cheek. "Take care of it if I don't make it," She whispered softly.

Stripepelt backed off with a snarl. "Don't talk that way! Shallowstream used to be a Medicine Cat in RiverClan. She can keep you alive!" He hissed angrily. Sprout pressed her muzzle back against his leg, and Stripepelt lowered himself to her. Sprout lay shivering in the snow as Shallowstream jerked back.

"Great StarClan! You just are having problem after problem!" She cursed angrily. "What's going on?" Sprout's eyes widened, the whites showing clearly. "Your kit is backwards," Sprout screamed as a tall white tom rushed a thick stick to her. Sprout clamped down on it as Shallowstream put her paws onto Spout's belly.

"I'm going to position your kit correctly. This might hurt a bit," Shallowstream explained. She pressed down, moving her paws precisely. Sprout screamed as Shallowstream stepped back.

"Let nature take its toll," Wingfeather murmured as the stick splintered between Sprout's teeth. More splinters stuck between Spout's teeth, but the pain was becoming unbearable. Darkness mingled with her vision, and she began to doze off.

"Don't you leave me!" Stripepelt screamed. He slammed his paw across Sprout's face, snapping her back to awareness of her surroundings. She screamed, clenching her teeth to the almost breaking point as a small wet bundle slithered onto the ground.

"Pick it up! Hurry!" Shallowstream ordered. She raced off as Stripepelt dug a hole at Sprout's belly. Wingfeather picked up the tiny kit, and kept it swinging in the air. The silver and white kit let out a sudden cry. Shallowstream reappeared with moss, and padded it down against Sprout's belly. "That should keep her off of the frozen ground," She murmured.

"It's a she-cat?" Stripepelt asked excitedly.

"Yes. A beautiful she-cat," Wingfeather replied softly to his old friend after setting the tiny kit at Sprout's belly.

"I have a daughter!" Stripepelt let out a cry of happiness. He pranced around, puffing his chest out in pride. He stopped, and crouched beside his mate. "What should we call her?" Stripepelt asked softly.

"Lightning. The pain she sent me went through like bolts of lightning," Sprout chuckled lightly.

Had it seriously only been four seasons since I first met Stripepelt? I remember melting when I first saw him. Sprout sighed as Lightning began suckling at her belly. "I'm hungry," She moaned softly.

"I'll go get you some prey!" Stripepelt sped off, Wingfeather followed much more slowly. "Will you join now? You surely won't be able to hunt with Lightning around. And now that Stripepelt's deputy, he won't be able to visit so often," Shallowstream whispered. "I can't come. RiverClan won't accept a mother with a kit in the middle of leaf-bare. You can barely feed yourselves as it is!"

Shallowstream rolled her eyes with a sigh. "The warrior code states that each Clan must help any kits in need. No matter where it comes from," The senior warrior replied.

"No. I don't want cats going hungry because I need food. I can fare just fine, all I have to do is hide little Lightning," Sprout snapped. "You have to come back!" Shallowstream retaliated. "Why are you so persistent? You don't even like Stripepelt!" Sprout snarled.

Sprout smiled as she began to lick Lightning dry, but Shallowstream brought her head up. "Lightning would be a great addition to RiverClan. And so would you," Shallowstream smiled. "Also, why would you think I didn't care for my only brother? He is my only surviving family."

Sprout looked up, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "What about your mate, Wingeather?" She asked softly.

"Wingfeather's different. He's my mate. Not my family," Shallowstream replied. "If I go with you, will you and your brother and mate promise not to say a word to Lightning about this. I have a feeling that if she found out about me, she would hate me for life," Sprout whispered.

"Why?" Shallowstream asked softly.

"If she becomes too loyal believing she has full Clan-blood in her, it would break her heart if she found out she didn't," Sprout explained.

"What do you think my warrior name would be?" Sprout suddenly asked. "Sprout heart. You have a huge heart and let it lead you. You are joining RiverClan because of your kit," Shallowstream chuckled. Lightning let out wail, and Sprout's face narrowed.

"I haven't eaten in days. I must not be making enough milk," She realized. Just then, Stripepelt appeared with a huge hare dangling from his back. He dropped it beside Sprout, and she ravenously began gulping it down. Within three minutes, she wolfed down a back leg.

"Don't go so fast. You'll only throw it up later. That wouldn't be any good for Lightning," Wingfeather chuckled.

"I know. Now listen," The two toms leaned in, but Shallowstream knew what she was going to say. "I'm coming to RiverClan under one circumstance. Never tell Lightning that I was once a loner," Stripepelt jumped back and let out a happy yowl.

"My mate is coming to RiverClan!" He pranced around again happily, but Sprout's stern glare stopped him.

"You're scaring her," Sprout's point was proven as Lightning let out shuddering scream.

"I'll carry her," Shallowstream offered. Sprout dipped her head as Shallowstream picked up her tiny kit, and Stripepelt rushed forward. He pressed his body to Sprout's side as she got to her paws. She was wobbly at first, but she regained her balance. Slowly, but surely, they made their way into RiverClan territory. After many painful hours, they reached the camp.

"Who goes there?" Splashfish called. He dipped his head as Stripepelt stepped forward.

"Sprout here just gave birth. She wants to join RiverClan for the safety of her kit," He explained.

"We don't need any more mouths to feed!" Splashfish's fur spiked up as he snarled at Sprout.

"Her kit could become a great warrior. So could she, after a few moons of training," Wingfeather offered.

"Butt out, stupid!" Splashfush snarled.

"Arrogant little kit!" Wingfeather cuffed his son over the ears, and he shrank back.

"I'll go get Stonestar." Splashfish rushed into camp, and returned with a gray tom following.

"Hello, there!" He smiled warmly. "I see your mate finally gave birth," Stonestar turned to Stripepelt. Splashfish's eyes widened as he dipped his head in respect.

"I am so sorry for my hostility. I did not realize that the deputy had a mate," He apologized. "No need. Nobody else knew," Sprout smiled warmly, but turned to Stonestar.

"If you let me in, you must promise me one thing. Never tell Lightningkit that I was once a loner." Stonestar nodded as he led the she-cat into camp, Two kits raced towards Sprout, their moon old bodies still tiny with kitten fluff all over them.

"Can we play with her?" One kit squeaked.

"Maybe when she gets a little older," Sprout promised.

"Okay!" The other squeaked as they raced off, back towards their mother.

"Your kits sure are lively. Even in leaf-bare," Sprout mewed happily. "Maybe my kit will be that lively one day," She mewed wistfully.

"Of course she will!" Stripepelt purred.

Stonestar leaped onto the High-stump with a yowl. "All cats old enough to catch a fish gather beneath the High-stumpfor a Clan meeting!" The familiar words rolled off his tongue like water across pebbles. "We have two new cats to introduce. Sprout, step forward with your baby, Lightning," He addressed them correctly, and Sprout took Lightning from Wingfeather. She stepped up to the stump, and stood beside it.

"Sprout. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code until you die?" He asked.

"I do!" She said as clearly as she could with Lightning in her mouth.

"Then by the power invested in me by StarClan, I name you Sproutheart. Splashfish, when Lightnging becomes an apprentice, I would like you to train Sproutheart in the way of the warrior." Stonestar turned back to her.

"I also name Lightning Lightningkit. She will become a 'paw in six moons time. We are thankful to have these two new arrivals in RiverClan!" He touched noses with Stproutheart, and RiverClan cheered.

"Sproutheart! Lightningkit! Sproutheart! Lightningkit!" They cheered. Sproutheart blushed, and Blossomflight rushed forward. She rushed Sproutheart to the nursery, where she had prepared a nest for her.

"Don't mind Moonkit and Whitekit. They're too curious for their own good," She chuckled as the two kits rushed forward. Sproutheart fell into the nest, letting the warm moss enveloping her.

"This is the best nest I've ever been in," She sighed in thanks to Blossomflight.

"Thanks. Moonkit and Whitekit helped collecting feathers from a swan that was caught earlier," Blossomflight smiled.

"I can't believe you all welcomed me so quickly. I was expecting glares and snarls," Sproutheart admitted.

"RiverClan isn't like that, sweetheart," Blossomflight smiled. "I can't believe Stripepelt fell for you, though," Sproutpelt gave her a puzzled look, and then realized what she was getting at.

"I know he broke the warrior code, but he had pity for the tiny starving cat that caught his eye," Blossomflight nodded. I couldn't have ever asked for more. This is all I wanted. Now Lightningkit has a chance at survival.