Pompeii by bookgirl813

Pompeii

AN: Trigger warning for attempted rape. The scene is not graphic but I felt that some may be troubled by it.

In addition, this is an Alternate Universe. That means the characters will not be like how they are in the manga or in the anime. Please do not criticize me for not keeping anyone in character as it on purpose for this fiction. Some may also note that this fic may be familiar - I had posted it some time ago under the Naruto fandom, hence some crossover of name use. That version has been removed my accounts for personal reasons.

Now that you've read all of this, I hope that you will take the time to read the actual fic. It is complete in 2 parts.

oOo

He watched from his perch in the heavens, watching and judging those who lived within his domain. All was well in his dominion and Sesshomaru couldn't be more pleased.

The silver-haired immortal was chosen to protect the young but burgeoning metropolis. His ability to manipulate the nearby volcano had been the means to keep the inhabitants of the village and the surrounding areas under control. As long as the humans gave their bi-yearly sacrifice, the semi-dormant volcano would remain so. It was rare that the mountain would belch smoke and the earth would quake to remind that the village leaders to make the next choice for their next sacrifice to the volcano and by extension, the Gods.

The great city of Pompeii had prospered immensely under Sesshomaru's watch. Trade had grown thanks to the plentiful harvest from the earth and sea. The nutrient-rich ground enabled the growth of an abundance of varying crops; cotton, wheat, rye, grapes, and soy while the ocean gave a wealth of fish and shellfish. Traders from far and wide had traveled to the great city to trade their goods with the village of plenty.

Sesshomaru was usually pleased with the selection of young, nubile females that had graced his mountain and his bed thanks to the compact with the humans. However recently, the jaded immortal had been taken by one special woman by the name of Kagome.

Long, flowing, black hair that in the proper lighting would show blue, a slender body and the bluest eyes that rivaled the ocean that surrounded the village of her home. To the God that coveted her, Kagome was a goddess in human form. Her kindness, too, drew her to him like a bee to honey. Kagome always had a kind word and even though her thoughts did reflect some discord, she kept it to herself, thinking of how her harsh words could harm more than Hood. A born healer, Kagome's talents were called upon quite frequently. It was surprising that she was still unmarried and had not yet known the touch of a man. Thankfully, her age and purity made her a perfect candidate for sacrifice.

She was beautiful, kind, giving and talented. The fact that she stirred his loins was just the icing on the proverbial cake. But in Sesshomaru's mind, Kagome was everything the God would want in a mate.

However, it didn't appear that was going to be, for the son of the Mayor of Pompeii, Akitoki Hojo, had taken a liking to the fair maiden, going as far as to seek her hand in marriage. If a marriage contract were to be made before Kagome became of age, then she was ineligible for sacrifice and Sesshomaru would lose his opportunity.

Unfortunately for the young Hojo, Kagome had declined his offer of matrimony, much to the dismay of her parents. Sesshomaru held hope that he would still have her.

"Why have you said no to the most eligible male in the city?" her father asked in frustration that night after they had finished their evening supper. Akitoki and his parents had just left abruptly after having been rebuffed leaving the Higurashi home in a bit of an uproar.

"I know your mother and I have given you permission to choose the man you wish to marry, but why did you say no to the son of the Mayor?"

Kagome's mother wailed in the background; hysterical sounds echoed throughout the house causing Kagome to internally roll her eyes. The woman was prone to overaction about everything. Of course, it hadn't helped that it was an embarrassment to her family to decline an offer of marriage from someone of his standing. This made Kagome's mother even more prone to hysterics than usual.

"I just don't care for him," Kagome answered honestly, not telling him about the occasions she'd seen him mistreat other women. Yes, he was very attractive with his long, brown hair and deep brown eyes. Physically, he was a fine specimen of male and most of the female population of Pompeii wanted him. But looks, to Kagome, were not everything. There was no spark.

"Besides, I do not love him and do not trust him to be the husband that you are to my mother."

It was true that Kizashi loved and respected his wife though their marriage had been arranged by their parents so many years ago. It was still a practice of today, but the Higurashi couple wanted their only daughter to find her happiness and not be restricted by a choice made by her parents. It didn't mean they wanted her to give up the possibility of a better life, but Kizashi was at a loss.

And time for Kagome was swiftly running out.

"Kagome, you need to marry before your 18th birthday, or will you let the Mayor choose you for sacrifice?" her father bellowed. It was rare for Kagome's father to lose his temper. It only told her just how terrified he was for his only child.

Blue eyes shone with love and understanding as she gently grasped his hand over the table. "There are others of my age that may be selected as well, father. You know that it's not a foregone conclusion that I will be chosen."

The gray eyes of her father softened as well. His daughter was right, but for some reason, he couldn't shake the sense of foreboding that surrounded him like a cloud of volcanic ash. Besides, word of his daughter declining the hand of the revered son of the Mayor may have sealed her fate and there wouldn't be anything he could do about it.

oOo

As the day to select the next sacrifice neared, the more persistent Akitoki became even though Kagome had declined his proposal. He trailed after her in the market as she shopped, even offering his assistance with her burdens or to pay for the items she was out shopping for. The young woman firmly but politely declined his offers and continued her way through the market.

Flowers of varying rarity that must have been imported showed up in the Higurashi's home, but still, Kagome remained firm in her decision. She wouldn't be swayed by the expensive blossoms or gifts.

When the young Hojo caught her alone in an alleyway on her way home after treating an ailing elder one evening, he tried to force himself upon her, being at a loss as to what else he could do to sway her.

"You will be mine, Kagome!" he growled as he cornered her against a building and attempted to undo the belt to her tunic so he could grope her breast. Unfortunately, her clothing was not cooperating and Kagome thrashed in his grasp. Akitoki continued to attempt to pin her to the rough wall.

"Stop, Akitoki!" she screamed. "STOP, please!" she pleaded but he continued to maul her.

His attempts to kiss her ended up being rough bites that reflected on her bruised and bloodied lips. It couldn't be helped, thought the frustrated male. Akitoki gave up with trying to bare her breast and moved his rough hands down to find the bottom of her skirt, his face lowering to see better. But before he could get too far, Kagome managed to knee

him in the face giving him a bloody nose.

"What the hell!" yelped the outraged male as he backed off away from his prey.

"I told you to stop, Akitoki, but you wouldn't listen," Kagome retorted, angrily. She knew she was a terrible mess, but the blood gushing from the male's nose made him look a lot worse. Akitoki wasn't the first to attempt similar actions upon her nor would he be the last, unfortunately. Thankfully, her father had taught her a few moves to defend herself from unwanted attention and even though Akitoki had caught her off guard, she managed to do some damage to him, physically.

"Gods, woman! You probably broke my nose!"

He fell to the ground and sat back against the brick wall of the alley. Akitoki was whining. He was hurt and his looks and masculinity had all been challenged within the span of five minutes.

Kagome gave an exasperated sighed. Although he had just attempted to force himself on her, he was bleeding pretty badly and she felt a little remorseful about drawing blood. While she didn't condone his actions, Akitoki was usually an even-tempered and mild-mannered individual. Something had to have induced him to resort to such tactics and she had a feeling the nearing selection of the next sacrifice had a lot to do with it.

Searching for the basket she had dropped during the fracas, she located it and pulled out a large cloth she used to make bandages and proceeded to tear pieces from it. Wadding it up, she approached the bleeding male who flinched at her approach.

"What?" Kagome barked out. "I'm trying to help you."

Akitoki eyed her critically before nodding for her to continue. Though she had just hit him, he knew that she wouldn't harm him unless he gave her a reason to. Kagome was a healer first, and it made him realize that the woman before him was too good for him even if he had the best of intentions. Nobody would make Kagome do anything she didn't want to.

It was quiet for a few minutes as Kagome attempted to clean up the mess she had made of his nose. Fortunately, it didn't look like it was broken since it was still straight. But he would have to explain the black eyes that he'd be sporting for a week or so.

"You know that I'm trying to save you, right?" Akitoki muttered as Kagome took smaller pieces of fabric and shoved them up his nose to absorb the rest of the bleeding.

Blue eyes stared at him. "I had a feeling that was the case."

Akitoki sighed. "The only other females of age to be sacrificed are from the major clans, and none of them want their daughters to meet that fate," he explained. "My father, unfortunately, has to decide whether to lose the support of a clan or sacrifice you."

There was silence after that revelation but in all honesty, Kagome wasn't surprised.

"If it makes you feel any better, he seems pretty torn up about it," Akitoki told her. "The fact that you are well-loved by the village and an invaluable healer has made things very difficult for him. The decision was not made lightly."

If anything, what Akitoki told her pissed her off to no end. But it didn't do her any good to get angry at the situation or rail at the fact that a bunch of prissy, spoiled clan girls was given the chance to live over her – a healer. It was always politics over what was better for the village. In this case, though, it was for the village.

"Thank you for telling me this, Akitoki. If it makes you feel better, I've made my peace with the idea of being sacrificed for my home. There isn't anything or anyone here that holds my heart. Marriage for the sake of saving my life is just not an option."

Akitoki was stunned at the self-sacrifice of the woman before him, but he knew she was unique. That's what drew him to her in the first place. He wished that he could be the man she needed.

"Let me walk you home."

oOo

High up in the heavens, a God was angered. How dare that weak male touch what was his! How dare that insignificant male manhandle his woman!

He would make the Hojo pay even if he had Kagome's best interests at heart. He would make the village pay.

But first things first. He had preparations to make.

oOo

The day had come, and Kagome would be lying if she said she wasn't terrified. It wasn't every day that you were going to jump to your death on your 18th birthday.

The Village women surrounded her, dressing the black-haired beauty in see-through gauze and silks. She looked like a bride instead of a sacrifice and Kagome thought it strangely similar. Most women were given to men who treated them more like property and sacrificed themselves to their husbands on a nightly basis. Kagome was strangely grateful that she wouldn't have to worry about that.

Her hair had been curled in long ringlets, part of the front pulled back away from her face while small flowers adorned the swept-back bangs.

She was ready.

Over the past week, there had been a series of rumbles and groans as the earth shook. Kagome thought that the God must be impatient for the latest ransom to be paid to ensure another six months of peace from their wrath. The mountain had been smoking a lot more lately, and many thought it a portent of doom.

The fact that her mother had been crying since the day the edict had been proclaimed had annoyed Kagome to no end. Not only was it embarrassing, but didn't she want to spend what little time she had with her only child before she met her doom? Apparently, that was not the case. She had been grateful to her father for seeing it as an opportunity to spent time discussing different things if only to take Kagome's mind off what was about to come.

Kagome was met at her front door by the village Mayor, his elder son Itachi as well as Akitoki, the village council and heads of the other clans. Ropes in hand, each member of the procession bound her, leaving enough to walk from a distance at her sides. This binding prevented the sacrifice from running.

From there, they made the long walk through the village center so that all could see their savior. The walk continued out of the village limits towards the looming mountain. Kagome had been mildly surprised, if not a bit impressed when Akitoki's older brother Itachi spoke softly to her.

"I do not agree with my father's decision, Kagome. But as his son and heir, please know that something like this will not ever happen again while I am in charge."

Kagome wondered how long the village would survive without the semi-annual sacrificial offerings. She knew Itachi was intelligent and highly regarded. Maybe he would find a way to reach the Gods and make a new pact that didn't mean sacrificing the women of the village. If anyone could, Kagome had faith that Itachi would be the one to do it. It was unfortunate that he hadn't had the opportunity before her time had come.

As the procession made the trek up the path towards the top, the high mountain continued to erupt with dark clouds of dust, and the earth rumbled as if in impatience to take its latest victim. As they approached the rim, the air seemed to get heavier making it harder to breathe, but still, they trudged on. The group needed to make sure to make the sacrifice was completed quickly. They had already taken too long.

The village priests, clan heads and council members walked on either side of the doomed female, yet Kagome felt a sense of peace surround her. It was as if she were walking to the market and not to her death. Even the cloud of dense ash and toxic gasses didn't bother her while those escorting her were coughing and choking on the thick miasma.

When the group made it to the summit the volcanic activity had stopped altogether, giving the villagers a false sense of security. Little did they know what was to come once the drop was made.

Kagome stood calmly at the edge of the deep gorge, her heart beating steadily as she listened to the prayers and offerings spouted off by the village priests. They asked for the blessings of bountiful crops and profits.

What Kagome didn't hear was the priests asking to be pardoned from having to sacrifice their young women. This one was their village healer and was valuable to those she cared for. Hadn't they sacrificed enough?

With a final amen, and a "May the Gods have mercy on you, child," Kagome was pushed into the crater.

TBC