Howdy, all. Here I am again with another Naruto piece. And whaddayaknow, it's introspective! Real shocker there, eh? ... Right. Anyway. This is another case of Random Plot Bunny Attack TM. I was going for ambiguity, hope I succeeded. Oh, and here's a random tidbit, this story is 654 words long, unplanned. Cool. ... Anyways, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me; no matter how hot I think he is (and will be when he grows up... Rawr!). So, thus my life is meaningless.

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Have you ever had someone look at you with a promise in their eyes?

I have had that. In truth, I have had it twice.

I have seen a promise in eyes that saw me, and only me.

That person looks at me and I can see every emotion possible, in those eyes. I have seen admiration in those eyes. This admiration is for the skills which I possess, the mind which I have honed, and is admiration for one whom they see as someone worthy of deepest regard. I have seen happiness in those eyes. Even when filled with sorrow and pain, those eyes turn to me and I see the spark of joy deep in them that comes from just being near the person they wish to be near the most. It is the happiness that comes from having one who is dear to you be safe and happy themselves. I have seen desire in those eyes. Desire to be near, desire to be known, desire to be more than what we are; I have seen all these desires. I have seen love in those eyes. An all-encompassing love, one that will last forever and never be diminished, no matter the direction that life takes us. I have seen many things in those eyes. All of them are beautiful; almost too beautiful to behold, too beautiful to be real. And yet, it is real, and I am afraid. Should I look into those eyes? Should I accept the promise held there? Such a thing would no doubt be a glorious feeling, but am I worthy of it? Do I deserve to have such eyes look at me? Only when my eyes have looked at that person in the same manner, will I be able to accept what those eyes promise me.

I have also seen a promise in eyes that did not see me, but everything except me.

That person looks towards me and I can see no emotions, in those eyes. I have not seen admiration in those eyes, only disdain. This disdain is for the skills which will never be good enough, the mind which is no match, and is disdain for one whom they see as not even worthy of notice. I have seen no happiness in those eyes, only pain. Those eyes, even when faced with a place of joy and rest, turn towards me and I see the bone-deep sadness and pain of a life with hardly any reason for living. A life which they think does not hold even one person that they wish to be near. I have seen no desire in those eyes, only scorn. No desire to be near, to be known, to be more than what we are; I have seen none of those desires. I have not seen love in those eyes, only hatred. An all-encompassing hatred, one that will last forever and never be diminished, no matter the direction life will take them. I have seen many things in those eyes. All of them are fearful; almost too fearful to behold, too fearful to be real. And yet, it is real, and I am afraid. Should I look into those eyes? Should I accept the promise held there? Such a thing would no doubt be a horrible feeling, but should I fight it? Do I turn my back on the hope that I could bring light to those eyes? Only when my eyes have looked towards that person in the same manner, will I be able to accept what those eyes promise me.

I have had more than one someone look at me with a promise in their eyes. Each promises something different. Each promise is frightening in its own way. And each promise would cause my life to be completely changed if I accept.

Blue eyes promise always. Black eyes promise never. And jade eyes cannot promise to either.

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Romantic angst, how we love thee... Comments or criticism welcomed!