train·ing

(ˈtreɪnɪŋ)

n

1.

a. the process of bringing a person, etc, to an agreed standard of proficiency, etc, by practice and instruction: training for the priesthood; physical training.

b. (as modifier): training college.

2. in training

a. undergoing physical training

b. physically fit

3. out of training physically unfit

"Close your eyes and concentrate," Neji instructed calmly and peacefully, as though he was explaining the basics of jyuuken to a beginner (Boruto could confirm that Himawari was not). "And then allow the chakra pathways around your eyes to become stimulated."

Himawari did so, the signature veins appearing around the corners of her eyes, on her temples, and even radiating into the area of her cheeks. Further proof that she was not a beginner, despite her young seven years of age.

"Very good," Neji said. "Now...we may begin."

Boruto watched from the edge of the training field as his sister and uncle traded rapid-fire, sweeping blows at each other.

To him, it appeared that they were locked in a deadly dance, hands moving fluidly through the air like calming water, only to land on the opponent's pressure points like burning fire.

He knew that Neji oji-san was a super genius or something, that he'd fought in the Fourth Ninja War along with his parents and his friends' parents. He'd seen the long, thick, jagged white scar coursing across his uncle's belly, his escape from death further proof of his genius, in Boruto's eyes.

(Neji oji-san assured him that his survival was not proof of genius, but merely the love he'd gotten from his friends and family as they slowly nursed him back to health.)

Whatever. The point was, Boruto had grown up hearing his mother telling him stories of Neji oji-san's status as the invaluable genius of the Hyuuga clan; an individual with the thickest Hyuuga blood and the clearest Byakugan in generations; a prodigy who learned the most secret techniques based on observation alone.

It was just that, all these superlatives that were applied to oji-san never really clicked in Boruto's head.

He was just oji-san, his mother's trusted confidant, someone who scoffed when his dad was being silly but smiled at his antics when he thought no one was looking. He was just oji-san, someone who could handle his and Himawari's tantrums and arguments without flinching, someone who allowed Himawari to cover his long, dark hair in mangled sunflowers, someone who kept emptying his wallet for Boruto's implacable cravings for the spiciest food on the planet, despite the damage that it would do his tongue.

He was just oji-san, at least until Boruto watched him and Himawari do jyuuken training.

Then he seemed to Boruto to be that Hyuuga Neji, the one his mom told him about. The invaluable genius of the Hyuuga clan; an individual with the thickest Hyuuga blood and the clearest Byakugan in generations; a prodigy who learned the most secret techniques based on observation alone.

And it seemed like Himawari was following in his footsteps, having activated the Byakugan at the tender age of five. Not that he begrudged Hima this. He was happy for her, honest.

But his stomach twinged with...something. He couldn't describe it. He was only nine, after all. But it kind of hurt in his stomach like that time when he ate too many hamburgers and found himself throwing up. It happened when he watched Neji oji-san and Himawari activate those white eyes, while his own eyes remained a stubborn blue, no matter how many times he stared at himself in the mirror without blinking.

"Ah, very good, Himawari," he heard Neji oji-san say. "You've done magnificently today. Let's take a break."

"Okay!" Himawari chirped, before running off into the Hyuuga compound to find their aunt Hanabi.

A shadow loomed over him.

"Boruto," said his uncle's voice, surprisingly kind – not that he was ever mean...that's not what he meant...it was...just...Boruto sighed. He was feeling super muddled today.

"Oh...hi, Neji oji-san," Boruto said morosely, staring at a tree in the nearby corner.

"You look down today," he said, sitting down next to Boruto. "Did your mother scold you for playing too many video games?"

"What? No!"

Neji oji-san didn't push the matter any further. He too gazed at the tree in the corner.

After a few moments of silence, he pointed up towards the tree branches. "Do you see them, Boruto? Those birds in that nest."

"Yeah..." Boruto stood up, craning his neck and catching a glimpse of olive green feathers. "Oh, see, oji-san? Those are bush warblers."

"Hmmm." Neji oji-san stayed seated. "Previously, we Hyuuga used to keep them as pets in cages, but that was so long ago." He stared thoughtfully at the nest. "And how many are there?"

"Oh...I think...seven...no, no, wait! Eight! There are eight! How many do you see?"

Oji-san said nothing, his face creased in a frown.

"Huh? Oji-san?" Boruto glanced up into his uncle's white eyes. "What's...what's wrong?"

"It's nothing."

"Well, how many do you see? You can check with your Byakugan and tell me, ya know!"

"From here I see only seven, but..."

He crossed over to the tree, quietly peering through the leaves. Despite his care to avoid disturbing them, he still earned a series of sharp rebukes from the bush warblers, who briefly rose up from their nest in a storm of feathers.

"Sorry," he muttered to the birds.

But...

"Eight! Oji-san, look there were eight birds after all!"

"Exactly." Neji oji-san crossed his arms expectantly. "Boruto, you ascertained correctly the number of birds in the nest, while I did not. And what do you think that means?"

He scrunched up his face. "Uhhh..."

His uncle smiled. "Having good sight has nothing to do with the Byakugan. And you, Boruto, have far better eyes than I do."

...Oji-san was so confusing.

But he was a genius, so maybe he was right.

A/N: This is for Iwik, who requested Neji training Himawari. Sorry that I made it kinda Boruto-centric, but I feel like Neji would be able to perceive any insecurities in his nephew and help him out. I mean, he has tons of experience with Hinata! :)

And I gave a little hint as to how Neji survived that attack in the war in this AU, which I guess I'll be going into more detail about in the upcoming chapters.

Please leave a review, dear readers! :)