The troubles of Konoha didn't really begin until after Uchiha Itachi's death. Most of Konoha were shocked; one of the skilled shinobi to ever come from Konoha, was killed by his younger brother? This didn't shock the ones who knew of the Uchiha clan massacre. Sasuke had always aimed to become strong enough to kill his brother and avenge his clan.
For one kunoichi, however, the news was unbearable. Nakamura Sora, the sole surviour of the Nakamura clan, couldn't believe it, Itachi? Dead? Shortly after Itachi's death, Pein attacked Konoha, and Sora fought alongside her closest friend and fellow Jonin, Hatake Kakashi.
After then watching Kakashi die by Pein's hands, Sora herself began to crumble. The news of Itachi's death, watching Kakashi die and the strain and stress of Konoha's fall hit Sora hard. For days, she found it hard to walk or speak, the shock still pumping through her veins, and when realisation hit her, she crumbled. The chuunin and genin muttered of the death of the infamous Uchiha Itachi, killed by his younger brother; Sora was numb to their words.
Realisation was not a pretty thing, as Kakashi found. The usually strong minded, hard-working kunoichi he knew wasn't there, and in her place was a skeleton; half the girl she used to be.
It all came to a head when Sora spied the old Rookie 12, technically 11, huddled and talking of Itachi and Sasuke.
"Sasuke's exacted his revenge. He avenged his clan, now why isn't he home yet?" Naruto whined, almost impatiently. Shikamaru sighed, shaking his head.
"Danzo proclaimed Sasuke a missing-nin." the lazy shinobi sighed again, sounding more bored this time.
"This is probably what that bastard Itachi always wanted. Turmoil, and for Sasuke to be unhappy forever." Sakura shook her head as Shikamaru went on, and Sora tensed. They...they thought Itachi was bad?
"Probably. Thank the heavens he's dead." Naruto snorted, and the blood began to boil in Sora's veins as she stomped over.
"I beg your pardon? This is what Itachi wanted? You know nothing of Itachi's aims." she snarled to the group, and Neji snorted.
"The famous Nakamura Sora speaks. The heiress to the Uchiha clan."
"Shut it, Hyuuga." Sora spat, looking even more furious "I was heiress to my own clan, not the Uchiha."
Neji quitened down, sneering as he recoiled, whilst Sora turned to the rest of the chuunin and genin "You little bastards know nothing...Your precious Sasuke-kun's entered the true darkness. That's not what Itachi died for. Itachi died thinking Sasuke, like him, would protect Konoha."
"You're a liar." Naruto shook his head, and Sora glared over at him "That's a lie."
"Believe me, kid, I know what's the truth and what's a lie. Sasuke's too far gone," Sora's expression softened and her eyes seemed to glisten with tears "Itachi never intended for this."
Sakura seemed to be pondering. Nakamura...she knew the real story of that clan as much as she knew the real story of the Uchiha. She knew that the violet headed kunoichi in front of her wasn't lying; Sakura knew that ever word Sora muttered was the truth, and she knew that the kunochi's heart was breaking over the death of her lover "I believe you, Sora-san."
Naruto looked outraged at Sakura's statement, and went to speak, but the look on Sakura's face changed his mind quickly "Sora-san, may I speak to you privately?"
"I guess," Sora sighed "Come on, I know what you want to talk about. We'll go to my place."
As the two moved slowly and silently towards Sora's home near the abandoned Uchiha compound, Kakashi seemed to appear from nowhere and stopped them "Sora, I need to speak with you urgently. Your talk with Sakura will have to wait, I'm afraid."
The pink-headed kunoichi and looked up at Sora "I'll see you soon, Sora-san."
Sora nodded and watched as Sakura walked away, before turning to Kakashi, his expression grave. She knew what was about to be said, and sighed, looking away "My protection from Danzo is null and void."
"I know," Kakashi nodded, frowning "He plans on attacking you later. Your best bet would be to get out of Konoha- and fast. Gai, and a few other of our fellow jonin are willing to help.""
"I'm sure I can deal with escaping Konoha alone. Where do I go though?"
"Run. Just go anywhere, it doesn't matter. Just get out of Konoha, Sora-chan, please. Kakashi pleaded, looking almost desperate now Don't let him get you, and I promise, I'll find you."
Sora nodded, before turning away as the day began to fade away, like some sort of hazy memory and she began walking "Where he died. You'll find me there."
Night fell, and Danzo began his attack. He and three ANBU root members moved silently through the Uchiha compound, towards Sora's home, before storming the small cottage.
Inside was bare; empty and Danzo looked around furiously. Where was that damn kunoichi?
"Danzo-sama, there's a letter here addressed to you." the ANBU held up the letter, which Danzo snatched from him and ripped open. As the current Hokage read the letter, it was very obvious that Sora had known and left Konoha, not in fear, but to save her own life.
"Find her, and kill her." the Hokage grunted, and the ANBU left, almost instantly. Now, it was time for Danzo deem yet another Konoha missingnin.