Chocolate

A few days had passed since they had stepped into the Land of Fire. With Zeus guiding their path at random, they stumbled upon a bustling little town brimming with life. It was a multicultural hub where people from all walks of life congregated.

Having grown tired of their monotonous fish-based diet, Zeus took it upon himself to steal some money from a passing merchant. With the ill-gotten funds, he indulged them in a long-awaited treat: chocolate. "This is another pleasure of life you've probably been missing out on," Zeus remarked, tearing off a piece of the chocolate bar and offering it to Gaara. "Tasty is always better than not. Why subject ourselves to dreary porridge every day?"

Gaara, who had, in fact, been subsisting on porridge, nodded in agreement, cautiously taking a bite of the chocolate. Instantly, an array of unknown flavors flooded his senses, causing a slight frown to form as he experienced this new sensation. Nevertheless, after swallowing, Gaara eagerly consumed the rest of the chocolate in his hand.

"Ah, a fellow chocolate lover," Zeus exclaimed, tossing the remaining bar to Gaara, who caught it with care. "Although, the best culinary delights await us with Shima's cooking."

"Shima's cooking?" Gaara pondered, taking another bite. He had never tasted anything as delectable as chocolate before, so his curiosity was piqued at the mention of Shima. Little did he know what Zeus was referring to.

"Now, where to next?" Gaara inquired, glancing around. His eyes held apprehension whenever they met those of other people, but Zeus feigned obliviousness and continued forward.

"After traveling without rest for so long, it's only natural to allow our bodies some relaxation," Zeus pointed ahead, where Gaara spotted a distinct building surrounded by people clad in minimal attire. "A hot water bath, my friend."

"A hot bath? Why would anyone force themselves to the agony of sitting in burning water?" Gaara asked skeptically. "Unless, of course, it's meant for torture."

Zeus sighed. "You truly know how to dampen the mood. Though you're right, it can indeed be used for torture, I once imposed a year-long sentence of hellfire upon one of my sons, and, to be fair, it worked. He hasn't caused any trouble since."

"You have a son? And you did what?" Gaara raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, yes, I have many sons and daughters," Zeus replied, beginning to stride toward the building. Confusion crossed Gaara's face as he trailed behind.

"Really? So, where are they then? You seem so young, they must still be little children," Gaara queried, his expression turning slightly confused. "Or did you simply abandon them somewhere?"

"Hmm... I didn't exactly abandon them," Zeus paused briefly, pointing to the sky. "Although, they seem to be doing quite well up there, on their own."

'Up there? Are they... dead?' Gaara's thoughts pondered inwardly as he furrowed his brow, choosing not to delve further into the matter. Zeus's tendency to respond in jest was becoming increasingly perplexing to Gaara. Was it a coping mechanism to conceal his pain, or did Zeus genuinely care little for such matters?

Unbeknownst to Gaara, he continually misunderstood Zeus's intentions.

"Come on, let's change quickly," Zeus entered the building, nonchalantly removing his upper garment. The surrounding onlookers couldn't help but gaze at his scarred physique, parting to allow his passage.

Uncomfortable with the scrutiny, Gaara followed Zeus's advice, changing into a cabin before joining him in the hot bath. Though other men occupied the area, they kept a considerable distance from Zeus, compelling Gaara to gravitate toward him despite his unease. As Gaara dipped his toe into the hot bath for the first time, a surge of warmth enveloped him, sending delightful shivers down his spine.

The heat embraced his body like a tender hug, dissolving the accumulated stress and weariness from their journey. The hot water enfolded Gaara, cocooning his skin in a soothing sensation that permeated his being. The outside world faded away, leaving Gaara to surrender to the blissful tranquility of the hot bath.

"Feels good, doesn't it?" Zeus mumbled, his eyes closed and legs extended.

Instead of responding verbally, Gaara cast a glance at Zeus. Over these few days, he had grown surprisingly comfortable with the man. Even his own father hadn't spent as much time with him as Zeus had. However, memories of Yashamaru's death incessantly plagued Gaara's mind, preventing him from fully embracing a connection with Zeus, and fearing a similar outcome.

Nevertheless, despite being the one who killed his father, Gaara recognized that Zeus was a genuinely pleasing person. But Gaara had vowed to live solely for himself, leaving him conflicted. He feared opening himself up again, concerned about getting hurt once those boundaries were shattered.

Lost in his thoughts, Gaara felt a flick on his forehead, momentarily closing his eyes. "You're dwelling on the wrong things again," Zeus muttered, sighing. "Has living in the desert made you immune to heat? Now you can't even enjoy the pleasures of a hot bath. Quite a shame."

"It seems so," Gaara replied.

Zeus leaned against the bath's wall, his eyes still shut. Gradually, he tilted his head back, opening his eyes and locking gazes with Gaara. "The reason I brought you here wasn't solely for relaxation. Throughout our journey from the Sand Village, I noticed you constantly frowning in your sleep, mumbling incoherently. I observed how your hands clenched into fists and your heart rate spiked every time you made eye contact with someone."

Zeus smiled. "Initially, I believed it was due to shyness, but I've come to understand that I was mistaken. Your aura of killing intent can't escape my senses. It's as if a demon yearns to burst forth from within you, while you desperately try to contain it."

Gaara furrowed his brow, realizing that Zeus had seen through him.

"Is it Shukaku? Does he speak in your mind, urging you to unleash destruction upon every person you encounter?" Zeus inquired, his gaze locked onto Gaara.

Gaara hesitated for a moment before murmuring, "Always."

"As I suspected. It's quite amusing that he's so audacious, considering he ran away from me," Zeus added.

"He claims that if you were to face him again, he would tear you apart," Gaara retorted seconds later, evoking a smile from Zeus.

I would gladly confront him again, but unfortunately, you would probably perish alongside him, so it may not be the wisest course of action," Zeus murmured, causing Gaara to furrow his brow. Technically, Zeus wasn't wrong. Gaara had yet to witness Zeus's true might, but considering that Zeus had slain his own father and caused Shukaku to flee, he must possess considerable power.

"So, Gaara, have you ever desired to silence that voice in your head and solely hear your own thoughts, free from the influence of that pitful entity sealed within you?" Zeus inquired, gradually rising to his feet, his upper body now exposed to the air.

Gaara hesitated, his gaze locked onto Zeus's scarred chest. Thoughts swirled within his mind, contemplating the prospect of being free from Shukaku's control. The notion enticed him, yet it also frightened him. What would become of Gaara if the beast were to be under his control?

Gaara furrowed his brow. "I do want to be free," he admitted. "But how is it possible to do that?"

Zeus leaned in, his voice filled with conviction. "I'm not entirely certain, but I believe the answer lies within the Hidden Cloud Village. There are two people there who have mastered control over their Jinchuriki. They may possess knowledge or techniques that could help you."

"Someone who has tamed a beast like Shukaku?" Gaara mused, wondering if he could ever reach a point where he could confront and subdue the One-Tailed Shukaku. "Maybe it is a good idea, but I doubt they would help me out of goodwill."

Zeus smirked. "Don't fret about that. After all, isn't the Hidden Cloud Village located in the Land of Lightning?" He stood up from the bath, water cascading down his body, and Gaara followed suit, thinking that there was no use in prying further after witnessing Zeus's assured expression.

"Then our next destination is set," Zeus exclaimed, his enthusiasm growing. He had yearned to venture into the fabled Land of Lightning for quite some time, and now this opportunity presented itself before him.

***

Gif: Hot Bath!

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