Exhale

~ Chapter One ~

My Introduction To Hell

It was the beginning of fall, where the leaves had only just started to change , turning colors, and hardening, as the crisp morning breeze had bitten across their lively spines , crippling them within their moment of chill. Walking past them ,as the woman , bundled in a red wool long coat , denim jeans , black long sleeve , with fleece gloves , and hat of the same rich hues as her coat. Shivering slightly , as the bitter winds nipped at he exposed skin heavily, suddenly thankful that soon she would no longer be dealing with the cold , and the rather grumpy people , as she passed them towards a nearby door.

Greeted in the rush of warmth that quickly smothered her body within a comforting invisible blanket , as music quickly filled her ears, from close by. Smirking evilly , as she recognized the voices that sang along with the words, and it gave the woman to push forward to surround herself within the place that made her feel the most at home, even though in reality the woman was far from it. Kagome had ran the rest of the way into the studio , where the music blasted loudly , then as she went , she stumbled with the task of removing that of winter clothes to where the underlying black leotard tank , and shorts .

Tossing them where ever they would fall once she had entered the room, and immediately began taking her place within the group , dancing with the group of ten , as their instructor soon came thereafter. Allowing them to finish before speaking of the news that had only been informed to her the night prior ..

"Glad to see all of you are eager to get the day started , but if I could have all of your attention I would like to share some exciting news that I learned of last night .. " The teacher in front of the mirrors near the room's entrance gushed , and with that knowingly everyone became impatiently silent , before she continued.

"This years recital , each one of you will be paired up with someone from our sister school in Tokyo, and to work together to select a performance to compliment the rest of the show's production. In light of it being cold , and uncomfortable I would like to set this years performance around something hot , so much the opposite , as to enlighten our guests to forget how it is outside for a time. "

"So does this mean that we can't work with our normal partners than ..?" A sudden outburst from the back of the room broke through the unsure silence from a boy with long shaggy chestnut hair , and blue eyes with a physique that could make most woman drool over.

"No, I do apologize Kouga but this will give the experience with working with different partners , I am sure that you can understand, as well as Kagome "

" I haven't any objections, as long my partner isn't a asshole .. I can about as well work with anyone , and even if he was I 'll just knock him a few times till the curb , Miss Kikyo.. By the way Kouga will you stop pouting like a stubborn dog, we aren't even dating!"

"I 'am glad to hear you say that Kagome , I knew I could count on you , and I will be needing your help with your partner , because well he is a asshole !" Kikyo cheekily grinned ..

"God no , what have you stuck me with last time , before it was Kouga , and we all know how that went following me along like a lost puppy without a clue!"

The rest of the class , as well as the instructor Kikyo had giggled shortly before the latter had pantedly returned back to the subject at hand.

"Okay I want you to check up here on the bulletin board , and be ready by after lunch to make a good impression, because your prospective partners are going to come here , observing you with your present ones.. Remember I only placed you with those that I think you can handle , and blend with your natural talents , not with personalities.. Until then continue practicing until they arrive with your partners ..I want this to look good during their time here , as they will be boarding here until after the performance ..Alright that is all.."

Kagome , Sango , Kouga , Bankotsu , Shippo, Kira, Kagura , Origumo , Kohaku , and Rin had gone to the center of the room , as they are were concerned of the outcomes that the neighboring school would be soon joining them . It wasn't that they thought the students over there were necessarily bad, not at all , though it was someone outside their little nitch would be coming in , and ones they didn't even know.

"So what do you think Kagome, you finally get a chance to release the reins on your ball and chain!" Her friend to the left chuckled teasingly , clutching at her pink bodysuit and matching shorts, as her long hair pulled up in a high ponytail , with exception of her bangs covering her caramel eyes so Sango wouldn't have to see the glare that came with the threatening snort ..

"As if Sango , in his dreams will I ever go with Kouga .. He's sweet , but I just can't deal with his clingy possessiveness .. Do you know that for six months he sat out side my apartment and chased off every male who even greeted me on the way here! "

"I remember that it took you just that long to except that he would just have to wait till your ready because everything else he ignored !" A short haired girl , with pigtails wearing a lycra tank witn a matching yellow satin short skirt sang as she seemed to be dancing to the tune of her words..

"Rin I love ya , you know we do , but that was just to creepy!"Kagura chided jokingly , but to make so that her point was seriously taken..

"I'll say , and they say I am bad after sneaking a handful of pocky in between meals , and I don't even come close..!" A frizzy , slicked back , scraggly red head cheered from the middle, named Shippo..

"Have you forgotten your last incident with pocky , when you decided it would be a good idea to superglue all of the toilet seats shut , then treated us to your special brownies last month ?" A voluptuous , sleek sandy blonde with black streaks in it , going by the name of Kira reminded.

"Why did ya have to remind me of that , my ass still twitches for as long as I had to hold it till I could find the nearest bush , then even better without fuckin toilet paper , and had too use the very same rather small leaves from said bush to wipe myself ! Even in bunches the leaves didn't do a whole lotta good , and I had to walk around all freaking day with my ass smelling like shit !" A muscular , and smoothly toned male huskily spat remembering the visions of their past horrors when the runt had went against them for a seemingly harmless prank that backfired.

"Say shippo what the hell did you put in those things anyway! Sango questioned .

"I'll never tell ! Come on guys , ya can't excpect me to give way all of my secrets , can ya!" Shippo , taunted ..

"Please Shippo ? " Kagome pleaded , as she made her best attempts at a puppy pout ..

"Alright fine! But any of you tell ,I will have to kill ya!And ya better not use my clothes as your personal toilet paper stash again Bank ! "Shippo warned until receiving all of their nods before continuing

"What ! I am sorry man but ya ever had crap ever hardening in the crack of your ass ? I have and its not the best feeling in the world when your body is confused on whether it wants to eat , shit , or puke! It was the closest thing I can grab in the locker rooms, and its not like you don't have extra ! Its like you have a whole wardrobe in stashed in here!"

"Whatever ! Don't do it again , or else I might have to pull out something worse just for you ! Anyway, I put ex lax chewables – the chocolate ones , some green , cream of epicak , and with your typical brownie mix , and wha-la ! Brownies that will have ya one your knees shitting your pants , munching away , and worshiping the porcelain god as you puke your brains out , all in one sitting !" Shippo amended cheerfully

"Your terrible , but that, as long as it's not me .. Its so evil that its awesome!" Sango mused aloud.

"Hey guys what was with the way Miss Kikyo was like when mentioning my partner , it almost seemed like she was purposefully giving the the shit end of a stick again!" Kagome suspiciously pondered maddeningly

"Yea I noticed that , I wonder why? I mean she has always given you a challenge , but she seemed like the woman was exceptionally giddy at the chance to see you suffer with this one ..." Rin commented , as the others soon agreed , before their chatter faded in the constant beats of the music they were presently warning up to..

Although , to them even though each one had there thoughts , neither had once assumed that their guesses as to that this was really happening , as they had been close of that it was,unknowingly ,though not of the reasons why , but each of them knew whatever it was would turn up soon , and somehow had their serious doubts when the truth was known, it would be appreciated, for hell would certainly have come to haunt them.

TBC...