Sisters of War

AUTHORS NOTE: This is my first COD fanfiction, so I hope everything is relatively accurate! This is dedicated to my best friend USMC Girl! I hope you like it sweety! :3 *!~

Disclaimer: I do not own this, actually I don't even own the idea really. Well I do but, as stated above, this is all really for USMC Girl, my unofficial twin! ^w^ The only things I own, which I kinda share with USMC Girl are Emma and Ashton.

PROLOGUE

"Hey Soap, I just got some great news from home!" Ghost called out happily as he entered my office throwing the door open with such force it banged loudly as it collided with the wall.

"Haha, I know what you mean Ghost! I did too, but first, what's your news mate?" I asked as I re-folded the letter I had just gotten from my baby sister Ashton and set it gently down on my desk right in front of the few pictures occupying the corner of my desk.

"Well, you remember how I told you my little sister was going through training to be a tactics specialist?" Ghost asked and, despite his baklava, I could tell that he was sporting a huge grin.

"Did she pass?" I asked slightly excited myself, if Emma Riley got a high enough score and were transferred here along with Ashton they might just get along. Not to mention the fact that if Ash were the only female here on base It would cause quite a lot of issues, and it didn't hurt that with another female that awkward transitioning stage would be a little easier to bear for the both of them.

Call me biased but Ashton was quite the beauty I thought to myself as I glanced down at one of the pictures that adorned my desk. This one had Ashton and myself, taken just before I was deployed, in it she was hanging onto my back and leaning over my shoulder, her long auburn hair hanging around us both in soft curls, her big emerald green eyes sparkling with mirth and a grin splayed across her face bringing her pink tinged cheeks out to a perfect contrast with the rest of her beautiful pale skin. We were both extremely close and had always worked well with each other, so I was, of course ecstatic at the news she had sent me in her last letter that she might be assigned the medics post here at the 141...

"Soap... Mate... Hello?" Ghost called out in concern, waving his hand back and forth in front of my face trying to get my attention back on him and away from my wandering thoughts. "You there buddy?"

"Yeah, sorry Ghost," I chuckled as I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment at zoning out so suddenly like that, "Just got lost in thought for a second there mate, no big deal."

"Oh?" He asked and I could tell that behind his glasses his eyebrow must be raised if the sarcasm that I could hear in his voice was anything to go off of. "And uh... What exactly were you thinking about there mate? All I did was mention that my sister was trying to get in and when I tried to tell you if she passed the exams or not you zoned out... You sure everythings alright mate?"

"Yeah, everything's completely fine Ghost!" I grinned up at him and leaned forward, steepling my hands under my chin, "So how did she do? Any idea what unit she qualified and put in papers in for?"

"That's the best part mate!" Oh yeah, he was definitely grinning! "She passed with flying colors! Got first in the training camp she was in followed by her best friend 'Fable', don't know her real name. Both of them actually qualified to come here though! She didn't mention if her friend filed to come here or not but she did! Mate, my little sisters coming to the 141!" By now I was relatively certain that any lesser man would be jumping up and down in excitement until his shoulders slumped and his voice took on a tinge of doubt as he continued, "...Well at least we hope she'll get transferred here. All we know is that she qualified."

At this I couldn't control myself and burst out into laughter, I was pretty sure that Ghost was glaring at me but I just couldn't get myself to care at the moment, "Mate, if what you said is true then I have no doubt she's going to be accepted! Just calm down, it'll work out."

Ghost let out a soft, slightly embarrassed chuckle and started looking around whistling softly before changing the subject, obviously uncomfortable at the turn of events.

"Anyways... What was your news mate? It has to be something good to have gotten you to space out like that! Honestly, I've never seen you like this before mate, so it better be good!"

I smiled and looked back down at the letter a grin on my face and my eyes softening as I thought of Ashton coming here...

"Yeah... My baby sister passed too!" I looked up at him and grinned even wider before I continued, "She was the top of her medical classes and second in her boot camp by just a few points which, if you consider her field and the fact that the camp was for training all of the specialties we have, it isn't bad at all! She qualified for admission into our unit and filed papers to be our new medic just a few days ago."

"Thats great mate! Good thing too, didn't Cookie refuse to extend his term this time 'round?" Ghost asked finally taking a seat in the chair across from me.

"Yes," I said nodding my head seriously and leaning back in my chair with my arms crossed. Cookie was the last medic we had assigned to our unit and quite frankly, he was terrible. How he passed the courses I doubt we'll ever know. "Claimed that he wanted to spend some time on leave and then get transferred back to the states. Wants to 'get away from the crazy people'."

Ghost nodded his head crossing his arms too, "Well mate... Let's just hope your sister gets the spot, she at least sounds like shes competent."

"Ash hurry up!" I heard a voice scream over the continuous pounding of fists on the bathroom door. My best friend Emma Riley was, for once, up before her alarm clock and was attempting to rush me through what I was doing so that she could use the toilet...

"Emma! This is probably going to be the last chance I have to do this properly until I'm given leave so please, please, please just let me have the last five minutes I usually have of peace before your alarm goes off!?" I yelled back, yes I know I was being slightly rude... Okay, a lot rude but today was not my day!

I had been kept up through all of last night for the fifth consecutive night by whoever it was our neighbors were and it was really getting to me. Emma might be able to tune out unimportant noises in her sleep but I was not! Well at least when I wasn't in a battle ready environment like we were in boot camp.

I looked back at my reflection in the mirror as I heard Emma huff and then the tell tale sound of bedsprings telling me that she had sat down on her bed to wait.

I sighed as I lifted the eyeliner pencil back towards my eye, I didn't do this very often but today was special after all I thought to myself as I attempted to use the torture device that was eyeliner yet again-

"Ash!" Emma screamed again while pounding on the door and causing me to jump and smearing the eyeliner.

With a muttered curse I flung open the door and glared at Emma, "Yes!?" I growled, relatively sure that I looked like a mad woman what with only one eye having any eyeliner at all which just so happened to be smeared up towards my eyebrow and then back down my cheek.

"I have to use the toilet!" She said while rushing past me and slamming the door in my face.

I sighed as I sat down on my bed to wait absently rubbing at the smear on my cheek as my mind began to wonder.

Emma and I had met during orientation for boot camp and had hit it off marvelously. We had even been assigned the same bunk and our friendship had just grown from there. We had progressed through the assignments quickly and she had even helped to give me extra training when I lagged behind in the physical excursions.

Emma knew things about me that I hadn't told anyone including my own brother. But I also knew things about her that were horrifying... We really were just two peas in a pod...

I glanced back up at the bathroom door as I heard the shower turn on and sighed laying back on my bed.

I lifted my arm to move the strand of hair that was currently residing on my face but paused as I caught sight of the scars that were now a permanent feature on my pale skin. Those scars were the only physical proof of my own past.

I clenched my eyes shut as the memories attempted to take over, flashes of the past overwhelming me...

"Shut up you ruddy bitch!" He growled as he towered over me, silent tears making their way down my face as I clutched my left cheek in pain...

"You won't tell anyone do ya understand me!? Especially not that bloody brother of yours! If he so much as touches me I can get him arrested, you remember that you bint!" He whispered threateningly into my ear before standing up and re-doing his belt before he walked away, leaving me to curl up in a ball and cry myself to sleep...

We were attending my mother's Christmas party, I should be safe for the night, there are too many people here for him to do anything... Right? We were talking to my parents but I wasn't paying attention, that is until a sharp pain in my arm brings me back to the present. He had gripped my arm with such force I could already feel it starting to bruise...

I cried out as he pulled roughly at my hair, my knees buckling under me in sheer pain as I attempted to pry his hand from my hair, i'm pretty sure that if he pulls any harder my hair will come out in his hands...

I sigh as I look at the number flashing on the scale, I had lost ten pounds since last month and couldn't seem to keep anything down... Maybe I should tell my parents but... They wouldn't be able to do anything though...

Finally a way out! I don't even care that he was cheating on me! All I have to do is make a scene... My parents will hear about it and there will be no way they'll let him within a hundred feet of me! Just as I'm about to speak he looks over and lets out a harsh bark of laughter, "What? You think I'm just gonna let you go? Think again sweetheart! You're not getting rid of me so easily!" I turn and run, their sadistic laughter trailing after me...

"Ashton!" Emma called out again for who knows what time.

My eyes snap open and instantly focus on Emma's concerned ice blue eyes so like my brothers that it made my heart ache but also with a somewhat bluer quality as if my brothers eyes had been concentrated ten fold, her short black hair which was usually styled in a pixie cut still dripping wet and fresh from the shower.

"S-sorry Emma." I gasp out, only now realising that I was shaking and that tears were streaming down my cheeks.

"Oh Ash," Emma said as she pulled me into a tight embrace. "It's okay love. Now," She pulled back and gave me a warm smile, "Lets go re-do your makeup! I'm not sure what statement you're trying to do with this," She poked my cheek where the remaining eyeliner was causing me to giggle before she continued, "But I doubt the brass would understand."

I giggled as she grabbed my hand and pulled me back into the bathroom, yes, Emma truly was the best friend a girl could ask for!

"Hey Ghost!" I heard a voice call out as I made my way towards the mess hall for breakfast, I glanced back over my shoulder to see Soap running towards me, clipboard in hand and the happiest expression I've seen him wear while in public.

I came to a stop about twenty feet from the mess hall and turned around so that I could find out whatever it is Soap wanted, I was the lieutenant after all, might as well do the job I was payed for.

"What is it mate?" I asked as he came to a stop in front of me, a grin threatening to split over his face causing me to raise an eyebrow, since when did Soap show this much happiness in public? It's not like he didn't like everyone here but only a privileged few were able to see his 'softer' side.

"I just got the list of new recruits who have been assigned here from Shepard. This time..." Now a grin did split over his face and I could feel myself growing excited, was it my sister? Was it his? Did Emma and Ashton both get in!? "There are only two..." My heart sped up, "Both female..." My breathing sped up now as well, this was it! They must have gotten in! "And both... Related to us!"

"Yes!" I shouted jumping up and pumping my fist into the air. "I knew they'd get in! This is amazing mate! Our little sisters will be on base with us! Woohoo!"

Soap started laughing at my antics but I could tell that he longed to join in, the only thing stopping him however was our proximity to the mess hall, he still cared about his image after all.

"I know what you mean mate, they'll be here tomorrow morning actually. Nikolai just went to pick them up actually." Soap said when we had both calmed down and began to walk towards the mess hall, both looking forward to some grub.

"So are we going to be telling the men about the new recruits mate?" I asked just before we reached the entrance to the tent, they were all getting antsy about it after all.

"Yes... Officially thats all we'll be doing at least," Soap said with a sigh as he stopped me from entering the tent.

"Officially? Mate what the bloody hell is going on through that head of yours?"

"What's going through my head is that its our sisters who are coming here! Our two young, pretty, female sisters! Coming here to a base full of men who haven't seen a woman in forever!" He growled out glaring at the tents entrance as though the men were already plotting to take advantage of our little sisters and who could blame him? I was kinda thinking that way too!

If those bloody blighters so much as look at Emma the wrong way I'll tear them a new one! And I know that Soap's thinking the same as me what with the way he's cracking his knuckles...

"Ashton McTavish..." General Shepard called me forward. Even though Emma and I were the only ones going into the 141 we still had to follow protocol and go through this farce of a ceremony.

I marched forward, posture stiff and straight, this was one of the things I hated about the army... All of the regulations and formality, but hey, at least it got me away from Seamus McGrady and now I got to see my brother again. Yes, things were looking up for me, and this was only just the beginning.

"Ashton McTavish, I now welcome you to unit 141. Make us proud." A short exchange of salutes and quick march back to my place and then it was Emma's turn.

"Emma Riley..." I watched as Emma walked forward, she was made for this. Her posture was perfect, her slim shoulders square and her pixie cut a messy disarray of perfection...

"Emma Riley, I now welcome you to unit 141. Make us proud." He repeated again and they exchanged salutes of their own, crisp and perfect. Emma marched back next to me but while her back was still towards General Shepard she threw me a quick wink that nearly made me break out giggling...

~*`141`*~

We were waiting on the helipad for our flight to the 141, whoever our pilot was they were running late, we wouldn't usually mind but we were both excited to see our brothers, not to mention I was practically dead on my feet, five days without sleep will do that to you after all.

Suddenly Emma grabbed onto my arm, her blue eyes looking at me in concern, "Still not getting enough sleep love?"

I shook my head and regained my balance, only now realising that I had been swaying, "No, but it's an eleven hour flight so I should be able to catch up a bit. I'm lucky that I don't need as much rest as most!" I smiled at her, trying to reassure her.

Emma had of course tried to help me get to sleep but I just couldn't. After everything I was always on edge when it came time for me to sleep, Seamus had a habit of climbing in through my window at night after my brother was deployed. After that I just couldn't sleep if there was too much noise and I was always a light sleeper. Emma couldn't even turn over without me waking up...

When Emma and I were assigned new neighbors it was horrible, I doubt they ever really slept at night. Luckily though that was only five days ago so the eleven hour flight should do wonders.

I glanced up at the sky as I had been doing for the past ten minutes out of habit and finally, there way off in the distance was the helicopter!

We of course weren't going to be taking the same one, it would take at least seven hours for it to be back in commision again, but we were going with the same pilot. Nikolai Belinski I think his name was...

The helicopter landed and a large man climbed out, he had dark brown hair and eyes and looked to be... Russian maybe?

"Are you Riley and McTavish?" He asked in a thick Russian accent.

Both Emma and I nodded with a smile and I extended my hand, "I'm Ashton McTavish, you are Nikolai I suppose?"

"Da, dat is me. Nikolai Belinski, at your service." He said taking my hand into his large hand and giving it a warm and friendly shake.

I grinned and Emma shook his hand as well, "Emma Riley! It's nice to meet you mister Belinski!"

"No no no!" He said, his grin growing larger as well. "Just Nikolai! My father is mister Belinski! Not me!" He let out a nice laugh and I instantly knew that he and I were going to get along nicely.

"Now, let us go and get you to ze 141! You," He pointed towards me making me jump slightly, "Look like you could use a nap! Ze flight is very long so I expect you to take nap, understood?"

"Crystal," I laughed giving a nod in the affirmative before we made our way to the helicopter that would take us to unit 141...

~*`141`*~

I gazed down fondly at the head resting on my lap, my fingers running through my best friends hair. Ashtons hair had always amazed me, one minute it was a rich brown with only faint tones of red and the next it was a fierce fiery red. She had explained that it changed with the light but I liked to say it changed with her mood. On the rare occasions that she was angry the red seemed to shine through despite the amount of light in the room and when she was sad the red would all but disappear...

Ashton gave a small moan as she turned over in my lap her face now towards me. A small smile spread over my face as I looked at her peaceful face.

It had been far too long since she last slept... My hand ran through her hair again before coming to a stop at the back of her neck and pausing at the slightly raised skin there. Yes, Seamus McGrady was a bloody bastard and I wish that I could kill him but I knew that if I were caught it would kill Ashton... Didn't mean that I couldn't think about it though, I thought as an evil smile spread across my face, yes Seamus was lucky I couldn't kill him off. Very lucky...

~*!END OF PROLOGUE*~

AUTHORS NOTE: And that's all she wrote folks! Join us next time for the family reunions! :3 There's more to it than that but hey, if I told you everything then you wouldn't come back! :) Catch ya later!