Of Secrets and War by Nini

The Begining of it all

Hey Dokuga! A big thanks to Grimmichi for suggesting writing a story to go with my fanart Fully Loaded. This is my first attempt at writing a fanfic so please be kind and I hope you all enjoy it! :)

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or ideas created by the wonderful Rumiko Takahashi

"this" means someone's speaking

'this' is someone's thoughts

"this"/'this' is something that happened in the past

AN: the story's going to be kinda slow in the begining but it will pick up so be patient my lovely readers!

Darkness.....

Thats all I've ever known while in here, wherever here is.

It feels as though I've been stuck in this nothingness for years but that could just be due to my lack of senses.

No sound. No light. Nothing to feel. Just darkness.

As I lay here, contemplating the void that I've come to inhabit, one thought keeps repeating in my mind over and over....

'I should have trusted him.'

As the sun rose and lit up the morning sky its warm rays shone through the small rectangular window of a military base's bunker that housed a slumbering woman. With long hair as black as night and porcelain skin that's been kissed by the sun, she was a sight to behold even as she slept. Not long after the bright sunrise an alarm on a tiny square dresser went off signaling the beginning of a new day for the young woman. A dainty hand flew out from under the thin sheets faster than a normal person could move due to reflexes that have been honed over the years.....and of course practice at silencing the blasted contraption.

A groan was heard as the woman slowly lifted herself up from the old cot she had previously been sleeping on and, with a long stretch and a sigh, got ready for another day of training, drills, and, best of all, yelling.

"Rise and shine girl! In 10 minutes you better be dressed and in the Chow hall!"

Glaring harshly at her door with sharp azure eyes, wishing her so called "best friend" would cease her shouting so damn early, the girl quickly slipped out of her pajamas and into her *PT clothes. With a practiced ease that only came from repetition, the grouchy female fixed her unruly black locks into a long sleek ponytail that reached the small of her back, then proceeded out of her room and towards the mess hall.

'I swear I'm gunna kill that girl.'

As she was passing through the hallways that lead to the chow hall other cadets would occasionally pause in their movements and give a slight nod of acknowledgement or a wave of their hand in her direction before proceeding with their previous activities.

Being the first female cadet accepted into SPOK training earned you a certain level of respect with your peers. Even the best of some of the special forces couldn't make the cut to even be considered for the training, which said a lot about the youthful woman steadily progressing towards the large dining room.

SPOK, or Special Performance and Operation Killing, is considered the elite of the elite within the United Nations Army. Just as their name suggests, they're as mysterious and elusive as ghosts themselves, and just as dangerous too. All of their missions are considered highly classified and they're all sworn to secrecy the minute they're initiated. Every once in a while the regular cadets and officers will catch a glimpse of one of the elusive members but for the most part they stay within their own private compound provided to them by the five star general, Inu no Taisho, himself.

Upon entering the Chow Hall she heard the tell tale shout of "Kagome!" before she was assaulted by a crushing hug from none other than her best friend, Sango.

With chocolate brown hair, slightly tanned skin, and kind but perceptive eyes, Sango made a very pretty picture. Even through she could seem innocent and, standing at 5'4", kinda small, she was anything but. Coming from a long line of demon slayers and being considered the prodigy of her clan, she was a strong, independent, and, at times, scary woman....depending on who you ask.

Gathering her bearings she glanced back at the woman hanging onto her back like an attention deprived monkey.

"Geez Sango can't you even give a girl time to wake up before trying to suffocate them?" She asked in a flat tone directed towards the other woman.

Rolling her eyes and letting go of the grumpy woman Sango just crossed her taut arms over her chest and replied in her own flat tone, "Shouldn't you be used to this by now? I mean it has been 4 years since you first joined."

Pouting and refusing to answer, because she knew her friend was right, Kagome just turned around and continued her journey to the serving line with a laughing Sango not far behind.

Upon reaching the food they noticed most of it had already been taken and picked through. Sharing a look with Sango and thinking fast, Kagome grabbed everything she wanted before anyone else could. Unfortunately (or fortunately in Kagome's case) that left the brunette with very little to choose from.

'Serves her right for tackling me', she thought sticking her tongue out at her friend and continuing her journey down the line.

Finally gathering the last of her breakfast the hungry cadet headed on over to her normal table and sat with her platoon, digging into her food as soon as her bottom touched the hard plastic of the cream colored bench .

Observant blue eyes did a quick take of the table and noted that their lieutenant had just walked up to the long table.

'Better hurry and finish before him or else I'll never make it through the day.'

Glancing over again as discretely as possible, she watched with a slightly disgusted and annoyed expression as he wolfed everything down like a starving, rabid dog. 'Well he technically IS a dog, but still, I swear he does it on purpose!'

The silver haired half demon, Lieutenant Inuyasha Taisho, sat at the head of the table finishing up his meal at record speed all the while twitching his puppy dog ears in different directions and looking around, ensuring that no one was making small talk. According to him "If you've got time to chat you mustn't be that hungry."

Kagome had known Inuyasha since high school in the ROTC program, both pursuing careers in the armed forces. He was also one of the few personnel that was selected for SPOK training with her. Including the both of them, there were some 200 hopeful applicants this year with an annual acceptance rate of less than 10 percent.

Competition was fierce and, being the only and first girl participating in the qualification process, they were going to be twice as hard on her.

Having finally gotten her food Sango joined her friend at the table and proceeded to eat with a fierce concentration that was on the face of every cadet that had peeked at their commanding officer. There was only so much time allotted for eating and as soon as Inuyasha was finished so was everyone else in the platoon....even if you weren't.

After about 10 minutes had passed Inuyasha stood up from his seat, a silent command that breakfast was over, and went to dispose of his tray. Not a second behind, his platoon followed his example. Some satisfied and full and others wishing they had woke up with their alarms seeing as it left them hungry.

Noticing the resigned look on Sango's face Kagome shot a smug smirk in her direction, earning an expression that clearly said 'This is your fault.'

After disposing of their trash they headed out to the back of the base and began their morning PT, or physical training, which consisted of their warm up, running, push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups.

As usual Kagome came in first, or at least, in the front group for every activity, surpassing and keeping up with even some of the most athletic people of her platoon.

An hour into their regular training the platoon was coming in from the final stretch of their usual 5 mile run and Kagome was neck and neck with Inuyasha in the lead and she was slowly gaining.

Since high school they'd always had a rivalry between them concerning who was the best. They'd hold contests ranging from who could run the fastest to who could guess the right amount of jelly beans in a jar. Ridiculous, yes, but true. It's was thanks to this that she had become so physically fit and even considered joining the SPOK.

One night Inuyasha had began boasting about applying for the elite group stating that only "REAL men" could join and that women were just "to weak and fragile" for it, all the while smirking in her direction. To say that this had pissed off our little raven headed cadet would be an understatement. She was LIVID! After giving him a good kick in the family jewels and shoving his face into the ground, shouting "SIT!!!!", she declared that she'd become the first female ever to join the mysterious group, after all, if she could keep up with a demon who was there to question her?

Crossing the finish line, panting and glowing with sweat, they began arguing about who came in first.

"There's no way wench! My foot crossed the line first end of story!

Eyebrow twitching and vein throbbing Kagome shot him a look that had him backing up a little, "Wench?! What did I tell you about calling me that!? I should win just for your foul mouth!"

After recovering the officer began anew arguing with the *NCO, remaining completely oblivious to the many exasperated but amused eyes watching the spectacle.

"They're at it again I see." came the entertained voice of one of the many cadets within the platoon. Turning, Sango spotted Ayame with a small smile resting upon her lips.

"Well it wouldn't be morning training without a squabble or two between the both of them now would it?" She answered while shaking her head with a grin of her own.

Ayame was a pretty wolf demon with bright red hair and forest green eyes. Because of all the running that the wolf tribes do she sported a pair of killer legs and a tiny but well muscled body. She was also a major flirt, attacking any good looking male she could get her hands on. She joined the Army at the same time as Sango and Kagome so they became close friends over the years.

"So how is it going to turn out this time? Think she'll let him win or is he going to get a face full of dirt again?" The red headed demon questioned with a mischievous light shining in her bright eyes.

Gaining the same look in her gaze as the woman standing next to her, Sango's smile turned into a full blown smirk.

"20 bucks says he eats dirt" the brunette replied.

"You're on!"shouted the other female.

Not even 2 minutes later Inuyasha was face first on the ground and Kagome was making her way back over to the rest of her platoon who were laughing at the misfortune of their lieutenant.

Many might say that it's not the correct conduct for military personnel and that they were disrespecting their leader but that's just how they were. One big family. They could goof off and joke around but knew when to hold off on the rough housing and focus on the task at hand.

Clicking her tongue, the demon discreetly slid 20 dollars into the awaiting hand of the smiling slayer all the while mumbling words like "unfair" and "stupid slayer instincts".

Eventually pulling himself up off the ground and shaking the dirt out of his silver locks, Inuyasha glared at his chuckling comrades before calling everyone to fall in and proceeding with the days announcements.

"As you all know Sergeant First Class Higurashi and I will be leaving soon to head out for the SPOK training and qualification course." there were many "Huah!" and "Congrats!" from the platoon causing the two recipients to smile.

Lessening the grin on his face to a boyish smile he continued to address his platoon. "At ease, at ease, now in our absence you will be assigned a new lieutenant and assistant NCO who you'll learn more about at today's group training and you will show them the same respect you've given us is that understood?"

A loud chorus of "HUAH!" was heard before the lieutenant dismissed them all and they all went off in different directions in order to get ready for the day ahead.

Walking beside her two closest friends Kagome headed back to her room in order to start packing for her departure to the SPOK training facility. Once inside she began the grueling task of gathering all the essential items that she'll need for the 6 month qualification course.

"Really Gome? Heels and a cocktail dress? What in the world are you gunna need those for?" Asked Sango with a puzzled look on her face.

"A girl never knows when she'll need to use her best weapon in order to get what she wants!" She answered with a cheeky grin.

"What are you going do, seduce your way into the group?" Came from the bewildered red head.

"If that's what it takes to win the bet with Inuyasha then so be it!" was her reply while smiling in a predatory way.

Sighing both girls looked at each other then at their friend before shaking their heads. Of course this was all over a bet made between the two knuckleheads of their platoon, what else could it be? Those two were worse than siblings!

Finally finished with her packing she stretched out on her cot and took one last look at the room that had been her home for the better part of 4 years.

'It's time I finally did something with my life other than take orders. I'm ready to be part of something that will help save this world from the chaos that it's been plunged in for so long now.'

7 years ago an unknown group calling themselves KUMO attacked the capitols of China, Japan, Iraq, Iran, and many other eastern countries. Japan was the only one lucky enough to be able to fight back and force the invaders out of their country. Not long after the initial attack the other countries began to slowly fall and crumble beneath the power of the organization. Ever since then Japan has been at the front lines against the oppression of the group along with the countries of Eastern Europe. One year after the event that changed the way people went about their daily lives the remaining countries decided to come together and form one large front against the opposing force which is how the United Nations Military came to be. All the countries pooling their militaries together to form the largest armed forces group to ever exist.

At the time when the war had just begun , Kagome was still in high school. Certain events after the first attack prompted her to join her school's ROTC program and, eventually, enlist in the Army. At first, the only person that could get her to say anything was Inuyasha but eventually she opened up to the others. Every now and then though people will catch a glimpse of that silent solider that she had been before Sango and Ayame completely broke her out of her shell. To this day though she continues to have nightmares about that horrid day.

"You....you're....you're supposed to be dead....."

Shaking her head to rid herself of the depressing thoughts that were threatening to surface she sat up and pumped her fist into the air.

"Yosh! I'm ready to take on the impossible . I'll show him whose weak and fragile!" She finished with a big grin plastered on her face causing her two friends to laugh at the silly picture she made. Joining in on their laughter she just enjoyed their company for as long as she could.

When the clock struck 12:00pm the girls knew it was time for their friend to make her way to the bus that would take her away from them for 6 long months, even longer if she made it through the selection period. Gathering her things Kagome and the other women exited the room and proceeded to the front of the base.

Once there, they noticed Inuyasha along with 2 other cadets standing beside the curb, waiting for the bus that would bring them all to their new life for the next few months.

Noticing the girls coming up to him Inuyasha turned around to address them.

"What took you so long? Fixing your makeup for the Sergents? Cause that's the only way you'll get accepted." He finished while shooting her a cocky smirk.

Showing him a sweet smile she asked in an innocent voice "Inuyasha do you like being a guy?"

Caught off guard the hanyo answered in a puzzled tone "Ya why?"

Making her smile and voice even more innocent she gave him a glare that froze him on the spot.

"We'll if you wanna stay one I suggest keeping that mouth of yours shut, if you catch my drift."

Eyes widening after realizing what she meant, he immediately backed away from her and hid behind Sango all the while furiously nodding his head.

Satisfied that she got her point across she made her way over to the other cadets that were waiting on the bus, watching as they continued to chuckle at the lieutenant that looked as though he'd just seen a ghost.

"Ya know, I was worried about a girl being selected for this course but after what I just saw I think you'll be able to handle yourself just fine." One of the men said and finished with a smirk which she gladly returned.

"The name's Sasuke Kuro, 3rd platoon." He said with a cheerful smile. Sasuke had light brown hair with strands of blonde here and there, warm brown eyes, and tanned skin. Standing at 5'11" he was pretty average but kind looking.

Turning the other man introduced himself.

"Ryuji Shiro, 1st platoon." Was his short reply.

He was the complete opposite of the cadet standing next to him. With black hair, lightly tanned skin, and eyes so dark they appeared to be black he made one intimidating figure. Being 6'1" probably helped with that too.

"Kagome Higurashi, 2nd platoon it's nice to meet you guys." She introduced herself.

"Ahem"

"Oh!" Turning around she saw both her friends looking a tad annoyed at being ignored for so long.

"Sorry I completely forgot you guys were there! These are my friends Sango", said girl inclined her head, "and Ayame", she waved at the two boys. "They came to see me off." Kagome finished off with a kind look directed towards her friends.

Sasuke happily replied with a "Hello!" While Ryuji just replied with a simple "Hi".

It didn't take them long to start a casual conversation with the two newcomers and by the time the bus arrived they all seemed to be getting along fairly well. Gathering all of their belongings they began to load the bus with Inuyasha rushing to get on first in order to stay away from Kagome, afraid she'd still follow through with her threat.

After the last of her luggage was loaded onto the bus the raven headed woman spun around to give her friends one last hug goodbye.

The first was Sango, giving her a crushing hug and telling her that she had better kick some serious ass while there and to " show those boys who's the boss!"

Lastly she turned to Ayame and received a firm hug in return from said girl and an order to send back as many pictures of "gorgeous, sweaty, and half naked men" as possible. Laughing at her friends antics and shaking her head she promised that she'd try.

Walking onto the large charter bus she gave one finale wave to her two friends before the doors closed behind her. Finally sitting down, the bus began its long journey to the SPOK training facility where her currently mellow life will forever be changed to one full of lies, secrets, and blood.

*PT clothes: they're basically gym clothes for the military, a shirt and gym short

*SPOK: in Latvian it means ghost

*NCO: stands for Non-Commissioned Officer

So what do you think, any good? Yes? No? I know it was pretty long and not much action but I have to get a base for the story to build upon and in the end it turned out to be much longer than I expected.