Well, it could be due to the weight of expectations. Naruto is often seen as the 'chosen one' type of character. In fanfic, Sasuke might feel pressured by this. He might think that no matter what he does, he'll always be in Naruto's shadow. Also, their different upbringings play a role. Naruto grew up alone but with a positive attitude, while Sasuke had a tragic family past. In fanfic, seeing Naruto's strength despite his hardships could make Sasuke question his own strength and lead to depression.
Well, in some fanfictions, Naruto might be promoted over Sasuke because Naruto has always been seen as the more positive and inspiring character. He has a strong will to protect his friends and the village, and his growth throughout the series is more in line with the traditional hero's journey. His ability to make friends and bring people together could be a reason for his promotion in the fanfiction.
One possible reason for Sasuke being depicted as depressed in fanfiction could be his traumatic past. He witnessed the massacre of his clan at a young age, which surely left deep emotional scars. In fanfiction, authors might explore how these past events continuously haunt him, leading to his depressive state. They could show his internal struggle between revenge and finding a new purpose in life.
One common theme is redemption. Sasuke often tries to redeem himself by helping Naruto out of his depression. Another theme is the power of their friendship. Despite all the hardships, their bond is strong enough to overcome Naruto's state of depression.
One common theme is redemption. Sasuke often tries to redeem himself by helping Naruto out of his depression. Another theme is the power of their bond. It's shown that no matter how bad things get, their connection can be a source of hope. And there's also the theme of self - discovery. As Sasuke helps Naruto, he also discovers more about himself.
It can create a lot of internal conflict. For example, Sasuke's depression might cause him to make rash decisions that drive the plot. He could isolate himself from Naruto and the rest of the group, which then leads to the others trying to reach out to him. This pursuit can form a major part of the fanfic's plot.
One possibility could be that Sasuke, being the perceptive person he is, notices Hinata's unrequited feelings for Naruto. He might start by just being there for her, listening when she wants to talk about her feelings. They could go on training sessions together, and during those times, Sasuke shares his own experiences of dealing with complex emotions. This gradually helps Hinata to shift her focus from Naruto and start seeing herself as an individual with her own worth, rather than just someone pining for Naruto.
The theme of self - discovery is also quite frequent. Naruto, in his depressed state, has lost a sense of himself. Fem Sasuke's interactions make him re - evaluate who he is. Additionally, the theme of love, whether it's platonic or romantic, often weaves through these stories, as their relationship develops in the face of Naruto's depression.
There's also 'Naruto's Descent and Sasuke's Salvation'. In this fanfiction, Naruto is depressed due to the loss of a dear friend. Sasuke, who has his own growth arc, comes to Naruto's side. It shows how their relationship evolves as Sasuke tries to pull Naruto out of his dark place. It has some really touching scenes.
Yes, there might be such fanfics out there. In the Naruto fandom, with a large number of fans creating various types of stories, it's possible that some would write a story where Naruto destroys Sasuke in a way that could be seen as Sasuke - bashing. However, these kinds of fanfics may not be in line with the overall spirit of the original work which focuses on their complex relationship and growth.