The Fox's Son

Chapter 22 - Dinner With the Higurashis

"Mom! We're home!"Kagome called out as they entered the house.

"And we brought food!" Naruto called behind her.

After closing the door, he and Kagome made their way to the living room. The older Higurashi chuckled as she came out of the kitchen to greet them in the living room.

"That's good." she simply said as she took some of the bags from Naruto. "Come now, I'll be getting started with dinner." she said.

"Excuse me, Ms. Higurashi?" Naruto called.

Ms. Higurashi turned around to address the now red-head. "Yes?" she answered.

Kagome's jaw hit the floor, for the umpteenth time today, as she looked at Naruto. He was not longer wearing his school clothes nor was his appearance the same. He was back to his regular long, red hair with dual-colored eyes and black facial mask. He was wearing the same clothes he wore when he arrived and his eyes were in the form of upside down U's, indicating that he was smiling.

"Weren't you just-" Kagome started, but was interrupted by Naruto.

"Actually, I wondering if perhaps you would allow me to prepare dinner tonight." he said, ignoring Kagome's accusatory look.

Both Higurashis' eyes widen in surprise. Even Souta, who's eyes were glued to the television as he munched on a cheeseburger he had brought from McDonald's, looked up from the television and started at the red head.

"Did I say something wrong?" Naruto asked.

"No." Ms. Higurashi answered. "You just caught us by surprise that's all."

"You can cook?" Kagome asked curiously.

"Of course I can." Naruto said with an eye smile.

"I've never heard of a ninja who cooks." Souta said bluntly.

Naruto turned to the 12 year old with a smile. "Well I'm a man of many skills." he responded. "Besides, all ninja are taught the basics in training. How else are we supposed to eat during missions?"

Souta looked thoughtful at that statement as Naruto turned back to Mrs. Higurashi. "Well?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Sure." Mrs. Higurashi said. "I guess so."

"Great!" Naruto chirped enthusiatically as he began to lead the way to the kitchen with Mrs. Higurashi following behind him.

"Uzumaki-san!" a voice called from the family room.

Naruto could hear the foot-steps of the person heading towards the living room. When the person got there, he entered the living room, revealing an older man. He had short, gray hair that was placed in a small ponytails with a long, gray mustache and a goatee. He was dressed in his traditional priest clothing and was rather stubby. He often reminded Naruto of Grandpa Tsuchikage.

"I have a question!" the old man said as he walked into the living room.

Naruto sighed at this. Every since the old man returned this morning via train, and had discovered that Naruto had been a former ninja 'from the feudal era', he had been asking him any and all questions about anything and everything involving the political situation of ancient Japan. The old man was beginning to get entirely too troublesome from someone his age. Hearing him ask all these questions was such a drag.

"Noooo, Mr. Higurashi." Naruto said in exasperation. "I have not met Ieasu Tokugawa, or Tadakatsu Honda, or Ujimasa Hojo, or Masamune Date, or Nobunaga Oda, or Shingen Takeda, or Kenshin Uesugi, or ANY OTHER feudal lord you can come up with, or have come with already." he answered as he continued to make his way into the kitchen.