Difficult Engagements
Chapter 34Regroup.
Third POV
For a time of peace… There sure were a lot of meetings talking about war. It wasn't that unusual in Konoha, if anything the peace times felt odd. The evnivitavlity of the next war always left peace times to feel like a waiting room of despair.
Nothing gave the people more despair than what was happening right now. Their lands now hold foreign soldiers for the first time in centuries. This left a lot of the people in charge more on edge than usual. Usually their battles were held on foreign soil, not right in front of their own lawns.
This meeting of heads of clans, asked very important questions for all of them. Already feeling the winds of change coming too quickly.
The Hokage announces to the room, "We have two major problems right now: The last Uchihas and the Kazekage."
"Shouldn't we be happy that two Uchiha's survived the attack?" Satarobi asked, "Especially when one of them was their prodigy?"
"Not when they helped orchestrate the attack on their own clan." Danzo says, presents some important information to the group.
"I still don't understand why they would do that…" Inzuka clan leader says.
"Why does anyone do anything?" Kyuubi asked the table.
When no one responds he says, "Power."
"If you all read the reports, Uchiha Itachi is now the Otokage." Danzo adds.
"See, that's why it doesn't make sense to me, Itachi would have had more power in the next couple of months if he just sat on his hands and waited. The other one was on path to become the head of his clan.'' The dog tries to figure out, "Otogakure isn't even officially recognized as a nation any more. I just don't se-"
"You're lucky we don't keep you around for your brain." Kyuubi says.
"Hey! I mig-"
Before he could dig his own grave Satarobi steps in, "I think you were overlooking an important detail, my friend. Something we all refused to talk about, because of the implications it would cause."
"Hah?"
"The Uchiha's were our major defense. Which I've been saying was a problem for years." Danzo mentions. "Itachi saw the board a few months ago and probably figured out what we all knew, the Kazekage had a major leg up on us."
"Itachi probably thought by destroying our main line of defense he would be giving the victory over to The Wind." Satarobi continues the thought.
"The Uchiha was wrong. We're going to win this, neither of our opponents are as powerful as they claim to be." Danzo brings up, "And we aren't weak without the Wolves of Konoha. Root is collecting soldiers from all the clans as we speak."
"So it's official now?" the dog asked, "You chose Root?"
Danzo stated, "It is for the best, I assure you. Being the sole defense of our nation, puts a target on your clans back. You saw what happened to the Uchiha, do you want that to happen to your family? Or anyone else's?"
The Inzuka clan leader gulped.
"I see you are a wise man. Under this new order we will be a more unified Konoha." the leader of Root announces.
"Yeah - Yeah, all's well and good in the Great Land of Konoha." The fox is tired of the petty power squabbles of his men, "Who has a plan?"
The room is silent.
"No one?"
It remains silent.
"You. You told me the Uchiha went in the direction of Sunagakure? Heh." The fox couldn't hide his amusement in this statement as he pointed to the Akatsuki Representative.
"I saw him go west, I just assumed that was where he was going." The shark swam around the subject.
"Is that so…" their leader pauses, "Do you take me an as a fool or or are you just incompatent?"
"Huh?"
Kyuubi reiterates, "Do you take me an as a fool or or are you just incompatent?"
"I am not sure what you're talking about." Kasame says.
"Ah, you take me as a fool… how," he shakes his head, "pedestrian."
The shark gulps, afraid of what comes next.
He is forced to remain on the edge of his seat as the Kyuubi changes subjects, "My child is in the arms of one of our enemies right now. I'm looking for solutions to this problem. Since none of you were any help with the last one, this is your time to shine. So, again, speak up if you have anything to say."
"The Kazekage's troops are restricting all of our means of organization. We are still able to do it, it's just taking longer than originally expected." Danzo brings up.
"That's not a solution." the fox snaps right back.
"I don't think we have a solution to this problem." Hyuga tried to bring some sanity to the conversion.
"You lack vision." he never thought he would say this but,"I almost miss the Uchiha's." "Nara, what type of loop holes do we have in the contract?"
"None, it's rock solid. There's no way either participant could get out of this… especially if the rumor is true."
"There's always a way out of a contract, whether or not the rumors are true."
The Kyuubi wanted to pretend the rumors weren't true… but he knew they were true. It would be stupid not to believe something like that. His son was marked up and potentially pupped up over in The Wind. There was no doubt in his mind that his enemy was capable of just that.
The fox knew it was a risk sending his son over, but assumed if his son wasn't marked on their first night together it should have been safe. Handing someone everything they ever wanted on a silver platter was the best judge of character in his book. He might have been wrong in this case. The younger Kage was always a little squirrely. That paired with Naruto's impulsiveness was usually a recipe for disaster.
This promises to at least be some fun.
"If your child is marked as other people are saying," the new strategist spoke up again, "there isn't."
"There's ways to reverse a mark." Hyuga tries to bring up solutions to the problem at hand.
"None that don't leave the Omega basically useless." Satarobi's turn to bring reason.
"We also have to consider the likelihood that he's already with child, to the heir to Sunagakure. If that's true, there is no possible way we can bring him back without starting a war that we won't win." Nara Shikamaru keeps things truthful.
"Are you suggesting I give up on my family?" Kyuubi scowls.
"I'm suggesting that we accept that we already lost Naruto." before adding on, "If your wife can not have any more chil-"
"Minato is already pregnant."
"Good. If he can keep it to term, our kingdom will be fine. We need to cut our losses with your other child."
"I don't abandon my family."
"Lord Kyuubi, it's best if we do." the young beta already knew there was no use trying to argue it wasn't abandonment, "With the contract written the way it is and your Omega already giving you more heirs, the problem has solved itself. If we just leave the Kazekage alone there will be no reason to enter another war so soon."
"You are all fools if you think he'll stop at Naruto."
"Not everyone has the same ambitions as you."
"I helped shape that boy into the man he is today. I know how ambitious he can be. Don't forget, he's already threatened my life and Konoha."
"That's why we should let him keep what he wants. The Kazekage seems content with Naruto by his side. It's not like the Omega had any other purpose than to be used as a mating prospect. Your son is doing his duty to Konoha." Nara tries his best to reason with the madman.
"You suggest I bare my stomach to this monster who's tearing Konoha apart."
"I'm suggesting that we accept the terms of the con-"
Danzo cuts in this time, "The only thing we can do is use the Uchiha you want us to eliminate."
"Now that sounds like a man with a plan." Kyuubi is finally excited for the prospect of solutions, "How do you suggest that?"
"Simple. We promise him a full pardon upon the elimination of the Kazekage."
"Hm?"
"Either Itachi kills the Kazekage or Kazekage kills Itachi. Either way it's one less person we have to worry about." Danzo says.
"What happens if the Kazekaze finds out you orchestrated this assasination attempt?" Shikamaru asked.
"Eh, wouldn't be the first time." Kyuubi shrugs. "Besides, all we have to say is, 'You really going to trust the words of a terrorist who wants to take your Omega away from you?' Not like anyone in this room would tell him… Right?"
A chorus of "No, Kyuubi." comes from each representative's lips. No one wants to be the one that faces his wrath. No one would dare oppose him… at least not publicly.
"So it's settled then, we'll use the last of the Uchiha to take out the Kazekage."
The fox hates to admit it, but "That might work."
They all spoke for a while. Hammering out details for Kyuubi's big master plan to eliminate the Kazekage. Kyuubi actually didn't expect Itachi to win. What he did expect was for him to weaken his opponent to the point that Kyuubi himself could win. He didn't voice this out loud. You can't tell everyone everything.
The meeting was about to be over when Kyuubi said to the shark, "Kisame, stay behind after all they leave."
The shark was impatiently waiting as each member of the meeting left the room at a quick pace. He was too afraid to speak up the entire meeting. Once he was called out he made a point to stay as small as possible hoping to be overlooked.
"Do you want to make up for your previous mistake?" Kyuubi asked, now that they were alone.
"I don't kn-"
"Don't lie to me."
"Yes, Kyuubi."
"Good." He paints a fake smile on his face, "We found where your former team mate is hiding out. I think it's best if you were the one to give him the news."
"You want me to lie to him." Never good at playing any of the games of court.
"It's not a lie. He will be pardoned for his crimes against the crown if he manages to pull this off."
"Of course, Kyuubi." Kisame knew when to be quiet though… at least around Kyuubi. Even though Itachi did not commit any crimes, and was undoubtedly the victim. He wouldn't say that here.
"Cheer up. You'll get your friend back." Large hands pat the other man on the back condescending.
"I am sure he will be happy with your mercy."
"I am nothing but merciful." the fox hands over a similar scroll to the one that ordered the Uchiha's death, "Give him this, so he knows the promise is real."
After the meeting, Kyuubi makes his way back to his Omega. Needing the comfort and stability his partner provides him. The blonde had his faults, but despite everything he was always good for that.
There awaiting him in their room was all the grace and beauty of the heavens wrapped up in mortal form. The milky scent of pregnancy slowly taking over his natural citrus. Already tired from the day's events, relaxing on their day bed reading some silly book or another.
Perfection.
"I can't believe it… he really did it..." Kyuubi confessed his mistakes to his love, hoping for redemption.
Hesitantly Minato asked, "Did what?"
"Gaara marked our boy…"
"Wasn't that the whole point of this arrangement?" the Omega knew this was going to happen when his child left, now it was confirmed, Gaara is exactly like Kyuubi.
"Don't be naive."
"What are you talking about? It's a mating contract, of course they would end up marking each other."
"Not for a few more months, dear." The pet name was added with malice, today had to be a day where his love showed his faults.
"What did you expect? You handed our boy off to him." the blonde raised his voice.
"I expected him to follow protocol." Kyuubi says, "If Naruto is marked, it will make our boy a joke."
Ignoring the fact he was marked before the official age and ceremony, that would only end in a fight "We haven't been in contact with the Kazekage for years, you should have known it was a possibility."
"If you weren't pregnant right now I would hit you." Kyuubi did have a soft spot for children. It was the only good thing Minato found about being pregnant.
"Good. Then I can say what I want to say."
"I'd be careful if I were you."
"Good thing you're not." Minato huffs some strength into his lungs, "You did this. You caused all of this to happen. Now you have to face the consequences."
"I have to face the consequences? You saw how the Kazekage was with our son that night. Naruto is facing the consequences, not me."
"... He left Naruto alone afterwards."
"Yeah, but what would have happened if we didn't intervene? Huh?"
"Gaara wouldn't…"
"You said it yourself, we don't know who he is now. He marked Naruto, something he's had more than enough opportunity to do in the past." Kyuubi lets the idea linger, before saying "You know he killed his father. You know our son doesn't remember him… because of what he did that evening. You know exactly how bad Gaara gets when things don't go his way. You think he's above forcefully mating our son?"
"Then why would you give him to Gaara?! If you thought that was a possibility why would you do that? I thought you loved your family."
A hand goes to slap the omega, but stops an inch in front of his face, "I do love my family."
"Doesn't look like it."
"Minato, it's best you leave now." cupping his love's face in his large hand.
"Why? Afraid of what you'll do to me?"
"And you're not?"
"I've seen what you can do to me… there's not much worse you can do."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"You have a funny way of showing it."
"Stop that, Minato, you are my Omega. Know your place."
"My place? My place is wherever you want to put me."
"You don't act like it. "
"How do you want me to act? Huh? My son is in a horrible position all becau- "
"Because you wanted him with that Uchiha."
"No."
"Face it, you're not mad at me… You're mad at yourself. You know the truth. If you didn't force that relationship with the Uchiha and our son we wouldn't be here." Kyuubi twists the tales of history ever so slightly.
"How is this my fault?" his voice started to shake.
"Our son was supposed to stop the Uchiha's from their rebellion? That's what you said."
"And he did just that. The Uchiha you hate so much, he loves Naruto. He came back for our son, risked everything for it. My choice helped our country, and our son."
"You were right, little Omega… but there was a fatal flaw in your plan, our real enemy was The Wind the whole time."
"And if it weren't for the terrorist attack on the Wolves of Konoha, we would have been well defended against them."
"Who do you think planned that attack?"
"… no. It couldn't be… that was Orochimaru."
"How naive can you be? That was a cover. I didn't want to admit that the monster had the upper hand." Kyuubi had Minato exactly where he wanted him.
"… no."
"Yes. That boy destroyed the entire Wolves of Konoha in one evening… just to get back with our boy. You put the target on our only defense."
"No…"
"No? It wasn't you who wanted the Uchiha Clan to finally bond with our family… I seem to remember things differently. You practically begged for their union. The other night, you were even holding it over my head, what a smart decision it was." he informs his Omega, "You did this. You can't twist the narrative now that you know it's consequences."
Words twist in the air, conviction changes, Minato says, "I- I didn't… I didn't know."
"You never know. It's why I'm constantly cleaning up your messes."
"I'm sorry… Is-Is there anyway… Can we save our boy?" Minato felt at a complete loss. This couldn't really all be his fault… but deep down he knew it was. Most things were.
"Our advisors tell me to cut our losses with our son. So... I don't think so. "
"There has to be something we can do…."
"They say there isn't… maybe you can do a better job raising our second child." Kyuubi rest an inch from the other's face.
Minato just holds his stomach.
Kyuubi places his hand on top of his mates, "This time we'll do a lot better, just let me take the lead. You will never have to worry about anything."
"Yeah…" he felt so small.
Kyuubi wraps his arms around his omega, sending out protective pheromones to calm him. Anger was such a bad thing to hold onto during pregnancy. He shouldn't have let his Omega have such negative thoughts, they could affect the baby.
"Why don't you tell me what your book is about… we can get our minds off of this for a bit." Kyuubi deep voice reverberates through Minato's body.
Minato, it turns out he couldn't keep his mind off of it for very long. He was wandering the castle alone until he found who he was looking for. One of Kyuubi's most recently added advisors from a lesser known clan managed to make his ways up the ranks when the fall of the Uchiha left a big opening.
The Omega knew this young man from years before when he was just a boy. The beta was supposed to become one of Naruto's advisors one day. It obviously never happened and due to the events of that night everyone involved was scattered to the wind. That way Naruto wasn't subject to anything potentially triggering.
Nara Shikamaru had all the expected traits of a beta, in which it almost seemed like he had no definable features. Average height, average build, average everything. Scent so mild you couldn't detect it without intense focus. The most noticeable thing about him was simple brown hair pulled back into a spiky ponytail.
Minato asked the young advisor, "Do you still have contacts with the wind?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." he lies.
"I'll take that as a yes?"
"I can't use them - not now." Shikamaru informs, it's all too risky for him now.
"It's for Naruto."
"Who else would it be for?" He shakes his head, "My answer is still no."
"Please."
"Whatever you have to say would lower my ranks with both kingdoms. I just got this promotion." His typical expression suggested he was irritated by the prospects of not only more work, but more risk to his livelihood.
"I promise you it won't."
"I would like to transfer over there eventually as one of Naruto's staff. If I don't ruffle any feathers it's possible it will happen after their ceremony." Shikamaru informs the other of the steaks at hand for him.
"No one would have to know."
"They will find out."
"It's one letter."
"No."
"What if I let you read it before you send it?" Miniato tries his best to get anything to his son, "You can make sure there is nothing incriminating in it for either of us."
"Troublesome…" Like most people, Shikimaru had a soft spot for Naruto, "I'll read it and decide the risk from there."
"Thank you!" Minato hands the young man a letter.
Shikamaru reads it over before saying, "It needs some revisions before we can send it."
"Make any you need. I just want to make sure my baby boy is okay."
He sighs, "Troublesome."
My Dearest Naruto,
I hope Sunagakure is treating you well. The Kazekage and his family should be good host for you in these trying times.
Anyways, I've heard some nasty rumors about you since you've left. Cities like to talk, you know, and rumors spread fast. Hearing that you might not be the good Omega we raised you to be is very heart breaking. I hope these nasty rumors about your virtuous nature are just that, rumors. I could not stand for something like that to be true.
Seriously, to spread such filth should be beneath these people. Always spreading lies. Lies do nothing but grow and spread until you don't know which way is up.
Very interesting news awaits you next time we meet. Everything Kyuubi and I ever could hope for happened and you will be so excited to hear it.
Minato
Itachi had absolutely no idea what to do.
For the first time in his entire life, he truly seemed to be at a loss.
The Alpha let his guard down so easily again, not thinking to double check everything in this new place. He really must be slipping. All of this has gotten harder and harder for him to do. Only a few months away from his normal way of life and he is unraveling completely.
"Itachi." Sasuke looks at him expectantly, "Itachi?"
"Hm?"
"Is that all you have to say, 'hm?'" The younger Omega huffed out.
Itachi whispers out, "There is not much else to say."
"I told you to give up on that little Omega Princess. He almost got you killed… again."
The Omega is right, except for some reason, "I can't."
"You should. You're risking your family. I thought it was supposed to be most important to you."
"It is."
"Then write to the Kazekage and tell him you surrender. Maybe, just maybe, he might let you live." Sasuke tells him of a potential path to mercy.
"Why are you now so suddenly caring about my well being?"
"Because you've forced it to involve my well being as well. You've roped me into this."
"I roped you into this?" the older man shook his head, "Don't make me laugh."
"It's true."
"You roped me into it when you and that snake killed our clan, Sas-."
"Sorry to intrude, Lord Otokage." Karin interrupted, "Someone is here to see you."
Itachi's ally stands in front of him.
His former partner.
His friend.
His friend, not noticing or not caring about the room's tension, gives Itachi the news. He mentioned the full pardon for both him and his brother and what the wolf would have to do to get it.
Kisames presence here also means that Kyuubi is well aware of the Uchiha's location. It was the subtext that Itachi would carry with him this entire conversation. Kyuubi knew where he slept. It was bad enough when the Kazekage knew that too.
One, well both, of them already tried to kill him… multiple times.
Itachi remembers the calculations he made earlier as well. It didn't matter what happened, if the two Kages went against each other Kyuubi was going to win. It was always best to be on the winners side.
However Kisame being here left the biggest question in the air, that the two potentially could be working with each other. Nothing was certain. If that was the case, this could just be another trap. It doesn't matter, it's the only option on the table with his newest safe haven being found.
"We'll get a full pardon from Konoha if I take out the Kazekage?" the wolf reiterates the knowledge he was given.
"That's what I was told."
Itachi reasons, "So, he's desperate now?"
"Seems that way. Think you being alive really fucked up Kyuubi's plans."
"He can not really see the Kazekage as that big of a threat."
Sasuke interrupts their back and forth, "He should."
"It's the Kyuubi, Sasuke. No one is a threat to him." Itachi informs.
"If you say so." the young wolf rolls his eyes.
"The kid has a point, we've never seen him grant anyone a deal like this before." Kisame brings up.
"And not one that he's honored after he's gotten what he wanted." Itachi ponders for a second,"I never thought I'd be on this side of the equation."
"Yeah, you're the one handing 'em out." his former partner says.
"I don't trust The Kyuubi."
"As ya' shouldn't."
Sauske interrupts their conversation again, with a memory, "When you get into bed with a crazy redhead, expect them to break your heart."
"Huh?" the shark questioned.
"It's something Orochimaru told me once… when we were dealing with the Kazekage."
"Sasuke, this is a little different than then." Itachi explains.
"It's not." the Omega rolls his eyes, "You might not like Orochimaru, but he always took care of me. He was right about that."
"Oh, please, tell me the wise old wisdom of the snake." Kisame says sarcastically.
"He'd rather work with the Kazekage than the Kyuubi… said something about the lesser of two evils." Ignoring the sarcasm.
"Is that so?" Itachi questioned.
"Yeah, he also mentioned it's better to work with either of them than against them ." he continues to explain.
"Look where that left you." Itachi made a snide remark.
"It left me the second most powerful person in The Sound, soon to be the number one… Until l you came along and fucked that all up for me."
"He's got you there. He was sitting real pretty on the snake's arm."
"It left you pregnant, Sasuke. You were an alpha… now look at you."
"I was the mother of the heir to Oto… a Kage's child… How different was that to what you would have been to the little fox princess you loved so much? Huh?" The double standards enraged him, who cared what he had to do to get to the top.
"Okay, boys. I think it's best if you stop fighting." the shark tries to settle the bad blood between brothers.
"We weren't fighting." Itachi says rationally.
"Then it will be easier to stop."
Both brothers "Hn."
"So, wadda I tell the big boss?"
"I dont know."
Sasuke huffs out "Pretend to work with the fox, ask for a deal with the Kazekage."
"What?" Itachi practically laughed at the absurd plan, "Sasuke, the Kazekage killed our clan. He just ordered the death of us now."
"Because you're standing in the way of his goals. He just wants that little princess of yours and to take over Konoha." the Omega informs them, "He didn't care how either of those things happened… as long as they did."
"How do you know this?" The shark questions.
"I was there."
"What?!" Kisame says.
"You guys seem to forget, I was Orochimaru's mate, his second in command. I was with him when we-"
Itachi cuts him off, ignoring the warning, "I'll get a full pardon from Konoha if I take out the Kazekage?"
"That's what Kyuubi said." His partner reiterates what he said earlier.
"Fine. Ignore me. Die. See if I care." the younger huffs out.
Itachi has a plan, "We're not going to die."
"Keep lying to yourself. See where that gets you." Sasuke storms out of the room while the two alphas make deals.
The newly made Omega was sitting alone in the room built just for him. Really this whole facility was upgraded with him in mind. It was a gift he was given when the pregnancy was confirmed.
Orochimaru made a big deal about it, said "only the best for his Omega." And it was. This facility rivals no other in the sound or world. It had top medical equipment, top employees, top everything.
Most importantly, it had this room.
Built just for Sasuke, to keep him safe and happy. The colors were his favorite. The furniture is his style. Every fiber of every cloth in here is of highest quality. No expense was spared to ensure Orochimaru's Omega comfort.
"Sasuke, you've been so brave lately." Orange masked man said.
"Huh?" He wonders how and why this man dares to break into his sanctuary.
"Keeping your cover… it must be hard with an idiot like your older brother around."
Sasuke stays quiet.
"He's on the path of self destruction… has been his whole life." the elder said, "You, however, you know how important it is to preserve life."
Sasuke's face scrunched up in confusion, "What do you know?"
"I know you try to save your brother's life despite everything he's done to you."
"He's being stupid."
"He is. I think it's time you let him self-destruct. You have more important things ahead of you."
"I guess."
"Orochimaru's vision lives on through you." the old man says.
"Then why is my brother Otokage?" The young Omega points out.
"Orochimaru wanted to keep you safe. If you were Otokage, it would just put a target on your back."
"So… so, he never stopped thinking of me?" the seed of hope planted itself back into Sasuke's heart.
"Of course not, little Omega." the man smiled behind his mask, "You carry his dream."
What's up demons? It's ya' boi.
I finally have half of the chapters fully rewritten the way I want. I definitely feel like it flows a lot better than it used to. It also helped me get more into each character's mindset a bit more.
I'm debating on the order for the next couple of chapters because they can go many different ways, and it won't mess up the general flow of the story. I'm thinking the next one should be kinda a filler/smut one, because it's mostly done.
TigrezzTail if there is one thing Gaara is… it's determined.
Empirialtank. I'm glad you like it so far!
I will say, the spelling/grammar issues aren't going to change much. Spelling has never been my strong suit. I go over chapters several times before posting them, and do use that advice and read out loud. I use google docs, I don't have a beta reader, this is the best it's gonna get. NGL.
In the re-rewrites, the chapters with names as titles, I try to fix a lot of these issues you've mentioned. I lacked a lot of description, because for a long time I didn't know what I wanted things to look like, so I kept it vague. You don't have to go back and re-read anything, the base story is the same, but if you want more description it's there now.
Each chapter got about 1k words added to them, again mostly just descriptions. The only one that didn't change that much was, my personal fav, Chapter 12: Reunion. This chapter sets up a lot of ideas, and only has a 10 word difference from the original one posted.
The original from like 10 years ago, they were Neko characters. I didn't know if I liked it for this version, so I tried it out. I'm not really a big fan, it didn't add too much to the story. So now they are just their original looking selves. I've edited it out of most of the re-rewrites, um, but there's a chance I missed some.
For the writing conspiracy/twist things, a lot is plotting, I got a whole excel spreadsheet of events that happen. I know how I want this to end, and how I want the past to play out. The rewrites also help with some details as well. Sometimes I think of cool things after the fact and go back and add it into my google doc for any future changes I want.
Gaara is the best, and deserves to have fun and enjoy himself.
Itachi is given multiple opportunities to escape the system, and multiple reasons that he "needs" to stay in it. We will see what happens, and if he manages to take control of his future.
I'm glad you enjoy the subtleties of Kyuubi's character, he's a lot of fun to write. We are going to see more flashbacks with him to explore his motivations more. He's still an asshole and won't be redeemed, but we will learn more about why.
One of the things I love about the source material is it really explores the idea that a lot of harm can be done from people "doing the right thing." I try to show that in this work, a lot of characters accidently cause much harm. So saying (my) Kyuubi could potentially be in the source material is a big compliment.
A few things you have to think about for Sasuke in my story are 2 big life events that didn't happen: His family is still alive, and he didn't meet Naruto until he was 20(after meeting Orochimaru).
So he grew up in Itachi's shadow, never being quite as good as him. That's not just something his family recognizes, but everyone else he encounters too. Anything Sasuke has done, Itachi has done better at an earlier age. Itachi graduated from the academy at age 6, Sasuke at 12. Unlike in the source material, Itachi's accomplishments are not tainted by his criminal activity.
Also with a living family, Sasuke didn't have to experience loneliness the same way. He was alone because his family wasn't physically there. In the source material he could imagine his family was full of amazing people, taken out by a tragic event. In this, he's lonely because even though they are here(before he kills them), they aren't present.
Sasuke doesn't have a rival to motivate him either. I don't mention the other characters much, I think when I'm done, if I decide to go more in depth in this I will. But the closest person who could be considered a rival material in this world would be Neji. He's not that fun of a rival and wouldn't motivate Sasuke to do much more, because he's already consistently better than Neji.
In the source material he originally turns to Orochimaru because he's not as strong as his brother or Naruto(Itachi's known goal). He's trying to gain strength for a purpose.
Even in this fic, before the story starts, if he was physically stronger/better than Itachi, it wouldn't change his life. Itachi was always going to be the head of the clan. When he wasn't going to be head of the clan, Itachi was going to be the Hokage. There's nothing Sasuke could truly do that would be better than that, so he leaves the system that no longer serves him and joins Orochimaru.
Power is a big motivator for him, he gets a lot out of his relationship with Orochimaru. It's also his loneliness that keeps him in a codependent state… He was attracted to power, and stayed because it's the only place he felt seen.
Also, for no reason, you might want to read the chapter Echo again.