I think we all forget the power of having a good mentor, Naruto just needs that... one good mentor to actually give a damn and teach him how to think not just what to think, to give him tactics and combat... someone to teach him how to study and more.

Six months into Naruto's Training Trip

Naruto only knew pain, for so long his mind could barely handle it... and then, in a blur of motion, sweet relief. A woman's crooning, what he guessed was a lullaby, echoing in his ears. Slowly, from the depths of the darkness that he drifted in, Naruto Uzumaki opened his eyes. What he saw before him was an ancient woman, a being that was older than the Third Hokage! She had brown eyes, short gray hair, and an air of wisdom he only found around the Third. However, she had more passion about her than even an angry Tsunade. She just looked happy to be alive, but also so deeply concerned about Naruto it was... painful to see.

"Finally, you are awake, I was worried you would fade on me. You nearly did, so many times."

With barely any strength, something Naruto never felt, he asked. "What happened?" He cringed, his voice less than a croak. "Why am I so weak, so hurt?"

She sighed, her eyes wet. "I found you, pinned to a tree during my daily walk... a sword in your shoulder, poison leaking out of the seals on the blade. I feared you were dead, no one near by the carcass of a ninja and a massive crater. You were barely breathing, I took the sword out and patched you before carrying you to my home. That was last night. You've recovered remarkably, but you still seem weak. Here, I have some soup, it might help you."

She helped Naruto to sit up, but as she turned to grab a bowl of soup, Naruto saw on his shoulder a horrible wound, worse than what Sasuke had managed with the Chidori. It was red, thick, barely closed scar, the first he had ever had... and as he looked at it, Naruto remembered the entire event, or rather he remembered in pieces, like his mind was too afraid of hold the memory.

Practicing the Rasengan, a man's laughter, a sword slash in conjured mist... Kyuubi's chakra overtaking him as did anger, just enough to slaughter the man, who's final act was to pin him with a poisoned blade, sealed to ooze poison for three days... long enough to leave Naruto in agony, strong enough to overpower the Fox's chakra as it struggled to heal him.

"I was there for three days." Naruto started, almost passing out from the agony in his mind. "Before you found me..."

The lady gaped. "How did you survive?"

"Rain water... and the Fox, I have the nine tailed fox in my body."

"A jinchuuriki." She said, catching Naruto's attention. "I was a samurai, once... among other things. I saw much in my life, including your ilk."

Naruto nodded, then started to panic. "Pervy Sage! He must be looking for me!" Naruto started to stand. " I have to find him."

She sighed. "Jiriaya you mean? I saw him at a brotel just as I grabbed supplies to heal you in town. If he... if he does not know, where you are, or really cares, find me. Consider this your fulfilling your debt to me. Oh and my name, is Azula by the way."

Naruto nodded. "He will... but I will come back anyway, believe it!"

As he bolted out, Naruto never saw the sad look in her eyes... nor the dark knowledge they held.

Not yet, anyway.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.