3rd Person's Point of View

He still remembered it. Her birth.

The first time he watched her eyes peel open after relentless crying.

The first time he ever was able to put her entire face together, the first time he was truly left breathless.

In his hands, he had held the most gorgeous child, even as an infant, he had ever laid eyes upon. And she was his, She was his daughter.

Her eyes were like fire, the way they instantaneously burned into his soul, yet their color was so delicate and so bright- how could he ever understand? Green. None of his other daughters had green eyes, certainly. None even compared in a crystal-like instance to her emeralds that had somehow made their home around her pupils. Once the eyes opened, it was as if her entire face did as well. All the while she looked up gapingly at him, her stained pink petite lips and nose followed suit, taking him by utmost surprise. It made no sense. She was a newborn, but her outstanding, even if faint, features deemed the term dirty.

Deemed everyone dirty.

Although that day he was given the most beautiful gem, he had lost his other.

He was so stricken, so caught inside his new daughter's merciless face, he didn't hear the first cries of pain. But as it does, time caught up to him and his world flipped once again. His wife- who had just finished caressing her daughter to mere sniffles, was yelping in pain, clutching her chest.

He regrets his actions that day. All so bewildered. She would have died no matter what, he knows that much. But he should have stayed by her. Instead, he ran out of the room, screaming desperately for help. He must have spent reckless moments doing so because, by the time he had gone back to his suffering wife, she was settled to very vague breaths. He rushed over and tried to say one more thing to her, to ease her parting, but to no mercy, her last exhale left her body just as his palm found her shoulder. And she died, slumping against his chest, a single tear rolling slowly down her red, cold cheek.

His guilt, was so warm, so burning, so apparent, and it tormented him to no avail, he was not there. He surely could have been and was not. His gut only sunk lower when he realized the worst.

She never got to see those enthralling green eyes.

He named his daughter Sakura. After the spring reflected undoubtedly in her orbs and after the alluring pink that rested upon her hair. All resembling the season and the tree.

Even though his new trials, his new pain of losing that who he loved so much, just looking at his beautiful girl, brought an ounce of comfort, of assurance, that his beloved wife hadn't left him alone. She left him with three daughters, but this one. He had left her with this one. And he'd be in debt forever for that. For how thankful he was that he was left with the blossom that is Sakura.

17 years later… late winter…

Sakura was beside herself with the impression, with undeniable admiration for the talent that was none other than her sister.

She held herself so well, so high, so… powerful. Her hands placed thoroughly on each hip, practically begging the eristic fool in front of her to continue. She knew exactly how her contempt towards the other faltered their pride, their ego, and how tall they were able to stand. Her confidence, her demeanor, and her tilted, unimpressed brow, knocked all before her down. It was terrifying, it was electrifying, it was divinely intriguing to witness, it was Karin.

Karin.

Sakura adored her eldest sister. Her made-up mind and everything that followed. She was also quite pretty. Crimson hair matched her sharp, thin eyes. Peachy skin and long limbs. Sakura understood why she got the male attention she did. Like Karin always says: "she would be a fool not to."

Just as she silently giggled to her remembrance of the phrase, Karin had successfully sent the fool that was with her away. She hinted a smile at Sakura as she ventured towards her, noticing her small laugh. One side of her mouth tipped upwards very slightly. "What is it that you are so amused with?" She asked her.

Sakura's eyes gleamed as she looked up at her. Karin tried but failed not being taken aback by their nature. Such a simple gesture, yet so powerful. Karin despised it but shoved the feeling aside as Sakura replied, grinning. "Oh nothing, I just find it thrilling to watch how easily you send those gnawing boys away. They must learn some boundaries, and if anyone should do it beside the elder men in their lives, it should be you."

Karin blinked. Why did she do that? She could never understand how Sakura always seemed to be so pure, so kind, and so willing to compliment others. Did she know how perfect she was? Did she pity her sister for not being so, was it a gloat? But even as she thought it, she ruled the thought impossible; Sakura, in her glory, was she even capable? Perhaps she was so swooned by her words, that the humility of it caused her to think less. "Ah, yes it should be." Was all she commented on her observation.

Sakura snickered admirably.

"Hey you two!" a familiar voice chirped from some distance away. The sisters turned their heads.

Trotting towards them on the bright path was Sakura's other art piece of a sister. "Ino!" She greeted, walking slightly her way to meet her on the trail.

The three girls left their lively castle to give their friends in the village some of their self-churned butter. Many had been asking for more ever since they were provided the chance of tasting it at dinner a few weeks prior. And so, at the idea of Sakura, they decided to make a quick trip and let them all have a nice portion of it. Karin had been waiting with her in between the sectioned homes for Ino when a boy noticed them, immediately trying to ask one of the two to join him for lunch. He pursued them to no avail, even after Karin repeatedly stated that the answer was no, thus why he was angrily sent away from her just a few minutes ago. The occurrence of these types of events was common.

Ino linked her arm around Sakura's as she was finally next to her, turning them both towards Karin's direction. "That was Hinata, meaning we are now done!" She chirped.

Ino, Sakura's second eldest sister, held similar attributes to her own. In every circumstance, she found a way to be optimistic. Her confidence was evident but not as proven and displayed as Karin's. All the while, she too, was very beautiful. Her glistening, golden hair hung down to her waist in tiny curls, entirely complementing her piercing, sky blue eyes. She, among the three sisters, had the most curves. The size of her chest aligned nicely with her hips, even if she did not care to think so.

"Oh, I am so glad we did this! Perhaps we should go next week and give the girls some of that silk they loved so much." Sakura offered, leaning into Ino's warmth as they walked down the curved, rocky line.

Karin considered her idea. "That would be fine for the two of you if you would like. I will not be joining. I do not care to have friends if it means only sharing our wealth." She stated with a slight feeling of annoyance. She knew that was not their intention, but even when that seemed so unapparent, she could not help but remember others' attempts at taking advantage of Sakura's natural draw to generosity.

Sakura, in return, scoffed at her words. She turned pointedly at her eldest sister, frowning. "Now you know that is not what they do, Karin. It is not like they ever ask, I just take note of what they enjoy when they are over. Do not ever say such things about our dear friends. Their intentions could never meet what you just stated." She was upset now. Second- handedly insulted by even the thought of their sister speaking ill of those who were dearest to her and she would not allow it.

Karin, though not evident, was enraged. How dare she? She was doing nothing but looking out for her in the concern of being used and she had the undeniable audacity to shame her? She despised it when Sakura called her out, in any instance. It was as if her suspicions about her gloating about her perfect nature were true. Karin whipped her head Sakura's way and glared. "I will not be told what to do, most especially not by you! I am just worried about your lack of caution when it comes to how you treat our friends. I will say what I want if it means keeping us from being humiliated." She spat, hurrying down the trail, ahead of the two.

Sakura gaped at her action, unlinking her arm with Ino, crossing them in front of her instead. "I was only defending them and she knows it! The only real reason she would not want to come down again so soon is that she is lazy and does not take an effort in relationships. And yet she lies and demeans me!" Sakura, even though she hated it, got into disputes with Karin often. It was not something she was proud of, but also something she has left no choice with when Karin was constantly belittling her and people she cared about carelessly.

Ino, like most instances, agreed, nodding her head. "She only responded that way because what you said was true, and she most certainly prefers to be right." She sighed, relinking their arms, subconsciously calming Sakura's nerves. "Come, we'll go back to the center of the village and buy something for a dessert tonight, and Karin will only get some from us if she agrees with you." She stated, winking at her younger sister.

Sakura smiled at Ino's idea. Yes, she would love that.

They made it to the market right as the sun began to set. Sakura had decided on a fruit assortment with Ino and they were both excited to get the finer ingredients.

Ino spotted a cart of melons not too far from where they were standing. "Ah, over there Sakura," she said, grabbing Sakura's chin and turning her head. She compliantly smiled as Ino pulled her by her arm forward.

A boy, not too much older than the two girls, was stationed at the cart, leaning calmly against the stone wall behind him, but as soon as his eyes caught sight of the two, his breath caught. 'It is her!' He thought in amazement. He had heard before that the princesses made many trips down to the village despite their positions in the royalty of Konohagakure. He had also heard that the youngest one, named Sakura, was divinely beautiful, reportedly having natural pink hair. He, an extremely common boy, could only imagine ever being in a divinely beautiful princess' presence. So, in his analysis, he decided that he must have been seeing unreal things.

Yet, there she was, walking straight towards his cart. He could only gape in awe as she and her elder sister stopped straight before him, both smiling pleasantly. Sakura, she was so, so prepossessing. Like no girl he had ever seen before. The village had mentioned her hair many times, but no one ever warned him of her eyes. He was drawn to them instantly, their striking, green irises pulled all his senses to her aura instantly. Long, dark pink eyelashes, fanned elegantly as she blinked. Though her presence had only lasted so far as a second, time moved slowly for him, and he was allured. So very much so.

"Hello! How much would three of your melons cost?" Ino asked him, not missing the way his eyes were Mercilessly glued to Sakura.

He heard the sister ask him something, but he was still speechless. Sakura Haruno, extremely gorgeous, stood right before him, and he could not function normally. Had Ino not snapped her fingers in repeated impatience, he might have stayed that way for minutes. He blinked, once, twice, finally, his eyes met victory and they traveled from Sakura to Ino. "I- what? Oh, I am so sorry, I regret asking your highness to repeat the question!"

He faltered in his words, but Ino was used to this by now. "I said, how much for three of your melons?" She asked him again, raising an eyebrow in annoyance. Sakura, silent the whole time, once again was slightly self-aware as his eyes dug into her.

"I- I could never ask you to pay me. Take them for nothing. As many as you want!" he breathed. Here before him were two glistening princesses, and he was under no audacity to ask them to give him money.

Sakura frowned. She did not like villagers valuing her at such a level. She was also a human. She would pay the seller just as much as everyone else was expected to and her position as a princess would not change that. So, rather than feed the boy in front of her standards, she placed three pieces of silver on the rim of his cart. "We will pay." That was all she said, reaching down and grabbing three, pleasantly looking melons, and turned around, trotting away from the young man. Ino scoffed in amusement and followed suit.

They were finally making their way towards a set of apples when someone more finely noticed her in the crowded streets of the market. In awe, he made her presence more honorably known. "People! People!" he shouted. Everyone's heads, including Sakura and Ino's, turned towards him as his eyes went wide. "Princess Sakura, and her elder sister, Princess Ino are here!" He exclaimed. Many gasps were heard among the crowd as one by one everyone's eyes followed the line of the man's pointed finger at the two sisters.

Sakura and Ino gulped, this is exactly why their visits to the village were blatantly rare. Sakura raised a hand to her cheek in caution as people increased their respectful distance from the two.

One moment ago they were carelessly shopping for fruit, a small attempt at feeling common. Now, they were being bombarded by gifts and compliments, and offers. Most for the younger sister:

"Lady Sakura! Ino! The honor! Do notice me!"

"Princesses, take these flowers!"

"Lady Sakura, would you like a ride anywhere amongst the village by my horses?"

"Take these fruits, they're my finest!"

"Sakura! Dear Princess! I am blessed and honored by your beauty! Do believe me!'

"Lady Sakura…!"

Sakura.

She watched,

once again in disgust as the villagers paraded the girl in delight.

As if, no, not as if, they were, they worshiped her.

But she was not a god. They never remember that. Sakura was simply a princess and yet was worshiped and treated as if she was higher.

She was not!

It had been this way since Kakashi first presented her to the village, but then it was simply justifiable admiration for a new princess. But as she grew, as she became more formed, more visibly beautiful, It was as if she was being pushed aside.

She, the god, of genuine beauty, was being pushed aside by a princess. A mortal. Sakura. It had gotten worse. Yes, the people still respected her, still sacrificed for her, and still worshiped her, but they were doing the same to a mortal. Never before in her lasting reign had this happened. The girl, was beautiful, so very much so, but that did not excuse her from being worshiped. She found herself enraged at just the thought.

She would not have it anymore. She would make sure of it. At every cost.

He watched in discontent as the man kneeled helplessly by the marble statue, weeping.

"Dear, Honorable, God Eros! I plead in the utmost vulnerable state, in the most diligent mind, I plead!" He began, shaking.

The god was seated, invisible to the man, on a throne in the center back of the crystallized, honoring, room. This mortal had been his fifth of the day, but he enjoyed this one far more than the others. He became enthralled by the weak, the helpless, the exposed. Leaning an elbow on his knee, and resting his pointer finger along his chiseled cheek, he listened, intrigued.

The man moved from kneeling to dropping his entire torso to the ground, bowing helplessly against the cool floor. His hands balled into fists as he breathed in. "I, inferior to your godly power, come asking for help. Pleading, I repeat." The god stayed still, meaning he was ready for him to continue. Until the man made his reasons for asking for help apparent, he would not become visible to him.

The man knew this. It was how requests were taken. If the god showed himself before the man, it meant he would assist with his problem. Although many others had come, most pleads were judged against their benefit, and sent away, with no hope. He gulped at the thought. Raising himself back to an upward kneeling position as he had been in before, he stared at the throne, wishing he was somehow meeting the god's eyes. "M- My kindred friend, Eirene, she has fallen for another." When nothing was heard he continued. "Sire, Eros, great god… I beg you, I love her more than anything. I'll be hanged if I am to sit aside and watch her fall down a path of sorrow and regret! I ask you pointedly to send her love, instead, towards m-"

"You are going to end her love for another by your own desire for her?" The god's voice blasted, shaking the room. The man gasped, his voice was equivalent to that of an asteroid crashing on the earth. Its power and feeling forced the man to become momentarily frozen in shock.

"Answer me." He demanded, startling the man back to his senses.

His eyes shot open. "No! Not at all! I swear this to you! I was going to say m- many other men. In the village of Konohagakure. The man she has become acquainted with is so wrong, so evil, and has such a merciless past. I cannot let someone so dear to me fall into his trap of seduction!" He panted, too overcome with fear of the god's voice.

Time stretched, nearly minutes, as the god contemplated his words. Had it not been for the distraught look cast across his features, he might not have made the decision that he did. After letting a few more seconds pass he made himself visible.

Once again, the man was left speechless at, now, the sight in front of him. The god, he… was beautiful. All his features burned into his eyes as he gaped in horror. He was shining, of value and power, he should not have even been allowed to see such a deity. He yelled in susceptibility. "Woe to me! I am inferior, I repeat, I am inferior!" He had silent tears rolling down his cheeks, confirming his words.

The god tilted his head upwards, pleased. It was the reaction he wanted, the reaction he was owed. He held his arm out, bowing his hand at the man. "I, Eros, God of Love, grant your request due to your initial ground." The man gasped, once again, looking up in gratitude and revelation. The god continued sternly. "But! If your motives are ever seen as corrupt for your benefit, I will not hesitate to withdraw my actions, and you will suffer instead."

The man could not breathe as he gaped. He was going to help him! In return for his silence to his words, the deity raised an eyebrow, daring him to stay quiet any longer. Finally, the man's attention was brought back to the surface as he dared to meet eyes with the god again, nodding eagerly. "Y-Yes! I understand! I am forever in gratitude and debt to your blessing!" He had been appalled at the chance of the god not granting his request.

Eros nodded, finally satisfied. "Now leave my temple." He ordered, his voice ringing against the walls for the umpteenth time, startling the man. He shook as he stood up hesitantly, turning his body and walking towards the large stone doors on the opposite end of the chamber, looking back every few seconds, reminding himself that what just happened was real and he had not imagined it all. With a clammy hand, he struggled to pull the door open. Finally doing so, he stood in the opening, bravely turning his head one more time to meet eyes with the god. As if it was an assurance he could give him as well.

Eros nodded, he was growing impatient, but if it hurried his leave…

The man gulped and whipped his head back in front of him for the final time. He would not look back again. As he made it a mere inch outside the entrance, the very gated doors slammed shut, echoing as a boom throughout the temples. He stepped further away, just in case.

Walking away from the large doors, wide-eyed, he had hardly realized that someone had grabbed his arm, stopping his movements. He slowly looked up, relief flooding him when he saw that it was only a boy, maybe 10 years younger than he was. He furrowed his brows at his action and stood taller in his place. "W-what?" he managed to ask him. He was too startled by the previous moments to compose himself, even to speak to another mortal.

The boy, skinny and tall, with wide blue eyes and unruly hair, looked at him with an unsure, worried face. His lip was being bitten on until he finally released it, letting out an exasperated sigh. The man's brow raised in confusion. What did this kid want? Why had he not yet let go of his damned arm? "What?" He repeated, now more annoyed.

The boy looked to the ground and then nervously to the man before finally speaking. "D-did he grant your… request?" He croaked.

"Yes." He breathed. Stunned by even his own words.

Surprise flooded the boy's features as he let go of the man's arm. He then grabbed both his shoulders, turning him, without consent, towards him eagerly. "Did you see him? Did you see the great god, Eros?" His hands, though firmly on him, were shaking and uncompromised.

"I did." The man replied flatly.

"You did? What did he look like? Was it horrifying? Will I be condemned?" The boy interrogated, gripping the man harder by the second. By this point, he had enough. He whipped his body quickly, causing the boy's hands to leave him. Backing up to think, he considered his questions.

Suddenly, he racked his mind harder when the answers were not there. Knitting his eyebrows together, harshly, he placed both palms pressingly, but nothing came to him. Why could he not get what he wanted? What was going on?

The boy, now more worried than before stepped a little closer, concerned at his reaction to his important questions. He stopped just a foot away, tilting his head and leaning forward. "S-Sir? What is it that is troubling you? I ask you again in vulnerability: what did he look like? Will I be frightened?" The man looked up, now frowning widely. He shook his head in distaste and met the boy's eyes.

"I regret to tell you that I cannot answer your questions. F- for I do not remember a single thing about his presence."

Characters so far-

Aphrodite/ Tsuande: God of sexual love and beauty

Eros/ Sasuke Uchiha: God of love and desire, non-offspring son of Tsunade

Unnamed king/ Kakashi Haruno: Father of Sakura- mortal

Aglaura/ Ino Haruno: Second oldest sister of Sakura- mortal

Clidippe/ Karin Haruno: Oldest sister of Sakura- mortal

Psyche/ Sakura Haruno: Youngest of Kakashi's three daughters

Unnamed queen/ unnamed: Psyche's mother, dead- mortal

All characters listed above correlate to the actual myth of Cupid and Pysche. If a character is made originally by me, I will say so.

List will be updated as story progresses, so will character details.

Thank you for reading!