Author's note: I wasn't really sure where to go with this, but I had somewhat of a vague idea. Hopefully this isn't too disappointing - I wanted to finish this story before my work obligations kicked in. Thank you all for your comments and your support! It really helped keep me writing :)

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Years passed, as they always did; weeks stretched to months and the leaves grew heavy with rain. It has been nearly a decade since Iruka had been to Suna, and as he and the other chuunin trudged through the forest, he couldn't help but think back to that night.

They reached the gates to the city, large looming canyon rock and the narrow passage greeting them. Kurenai knelt by Gaara's side, placing her hands on his shoulder. "Listen to me, little one," Kurenai said. The child looked up at her with trusting eyes.

Iruka didn't have to be told what Kurenai was doing. Her genjutsu was so advanced, she could manipulate memories to her will. "You're going to go to sleep now," Kurenai said. "And when you wake up, you won't remember."

The child's face crumbled. "Why?"

"Because it isn't safe for us," Kurenai said. Iruka set his jaw, avoiding the child's eyes. "Because a lot of people would get angry and more people would get hurt."

"But..." the child's eyes welled up. "I don't want to go."

"Sweetpea I know," Kurenai said. The child started to cry.

It was too much. All too much. Iruka turned away before they could see his face. "Iruka-kun?" Kurenai was speaking. "Do you want to say goodbye?"

It was all the permission Iruka needed; he pulled the child tight, baby soft and sobbing in his arms. "Shh, shh," Iruka said. The child buried his head against Iruka's chest as Kurenai stood, frowning and keeping watch; the Suna guards would find them, soon.

"Iruka," Kurenai said, and Iruka nodded, gently pushing the child away.

Kurenai knelt beside them then, staring into the child's eyes. "Gaara-kun," Kurenai said. And they both knew he would not remember.

xXx

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The compound of the Kazekage was not nearly as spectacular as the one housed in the Village of the Leaf. The country was much too poor for it, but more importantly there was a sort of spartan aesthetic that its shinobi fiercely guarded. "I can't believe they're holding the chuunin exams here," Izumo muttered. Iruka gave him a withering look. The Hokage had offered its top instructors to examine the field conditions as a matter of good faith; that Izumo and the others were already quick to criticize was not a good sign.

"It's hot," Izumo said.

"Baka, it's the desert. It's supposed to be hot," Kotetsu said. Izumo snorted.

"Ugh, there's sand everywhere. Even on the inside," Izumo said.

"Tch, hush," Iruka said. Really, even though they were the same age it seemed as if he were in the classroom again.

A Suna shinobi stopped in front of them and bowed. "The Kazekage extends his greetings," he said. Izumo and Kotetsu exchanged looks; Iruka kept his eyes trained forward, keeping his face a careful mask.

"Remember when he was just a genin?" Kotetsu said. His voice was hushed. "He nearly killed everyone during the exam."

"Kotetsu," Iruka hissed. Kotetsu shrunk back, adjusting the bandage of his nose. Iruka remembered, and the memory pained him. Seeing Gaara come to pieces, that homicidal rage. What did they do to you? Iruka had been ashamed.

But that was past; he was the Kazekage now. Iruka followed the others down the corridor, wondering what kind of man he'd be. In any case, Naruto would be proud.

The two shinobi guards flanking their sides stopped. Moving in front of them, they each pushed open the heavy doors to the Kazekage's chambers. Light filled the hall then, and Iruka had to shield his eyes with his hands. Slowly, his eyes adjusted, and as the brightness faded he could see Gaara sitting at the desk, shuffling a few papers in his hand.

"Kazekage-sama," the guard said. Gaara nodded, motioning for them to come in.

The whole encounter was rather bland; Gaara politely welcomed them and explained the Suna's preparations for the exam; Kotetsu and Izumo tried manfully not to stare at Gaara's forehead, which by now bore a large kanji-shaped scar. Rumors had swirled around what had happened the night Gaara was attacked, and Iruka was pained by the memory; it had happened as soon as he and Kurenai had left.

The meeting ended, and Izumo and Kotetsu bowed politely and were dismissed. As Iruka started to leave, the Kazekage stood. "Umino Iruka," Gaara said. Iruka turned.

"Yes, Kazekage-sama?"

Gaara looked troubled. He stood a little uncertainly, before clearing his throat. "I recognize you, but I cannot remember where," Gaara said. "It has been gnawing at me the entire meeting."

Iruka smiled, blandly. "I was Naruto's teacher at the Academy," Iruka said. Gaara's eyes lit up in recognition.

"Naruto," Gaara said. "Yes. I remember. He always spoke of you fondly."

Iruka smiled, rubbing his head. "Eh. Well, you know Naruto...he likes everyone," Iruka said.

"No," Gaara said. His eyes narrowed. "Naruto has much to be grateful for. The life of a jinchuuriki is a painful one. That you showed him kindness when no one else would...."

Gaara seemed to falter a moment; Iruka watched with careful detachment as Gaara rearranged his face into a perfect mask. "Well," Gaara said. Iruka stared at his hands.

There was an awkward silence. Iruka set his jaw, careful not to betray too much emotion. Keeping his eyes cast down, he noticed something; a little carving on Gaara's desk.

"You're looking at my owl?" Gaara said.

Iruka looked up. Gaara picked up the little carving and handed it to him. "I found it in the forest when I was taking the chuunin exam," Gaara said. "Someone told me it was a Nara carving; it makes sense, since we were in that part of the forest."

"You were in Konoha?" Iruka said. Gaara nodded.

"Yes," Gaara said.

Iruka stared. The carving was expertly done, but there were splinters, a few cracks in the wood. Could this be...? He glanced up at Gaara, wondering what fates had led him to find it. "I consider it good luck," Gaara said, and he took the owl from him. "I found it after I fought Naruto."

So. They always said the woods of the Nara clan had spirits, and that they would guide anyone who wandered in. If that's true, they certainly guided Gaara to this little carving.

Something inside Iruka broke, then. He thought of the child, and of Naruto and everything in-between. Gaara watched, a flicker of worry on his face, before he spoke again.

"Iruka-san," Gaara said. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Iruka said. He shook his head. "I apologize. The heat dries out my eyes."

"I see."

They stood awkwardly for a few moments before Gaara cleared his throat.

"Thank you for meeting with me," Gaara said. "I hope your time in Suna will be a pleasant one."

"I'm sure it will," Iruka said, and he bowed politely. "Kazekage-sama."

Gaara nodded; Iruka turned and left.

He would send a hawk to Kurenai later.

end.

A/N: The owl is the same owl Shikaku carved, for those of you keeping score. Also, in the original draft, I had this really goofy flashback of Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro being cornered by Nara clan deer :) It was way out of place though and I took it out. This also took place during the timeskip, which is why Naruto doesn't know Gaara is a Kage yet.

Also: I know genjutsu doesn't technically mess with people's memories, but whatev, that's what AU is for :) I think after Gaara was mindwiped he probably went ahead and had that nervous break that happened in canon. So...yeah. Again I wrote the whole scene out but there really was no point, since we all know what happened and Kishimoto did such a good job in the manga anyway. Woo.