Natsu was feeling exhausted from the day. Not from the fight, the fight was great. He couldn't stop the grin forming on his face when he thought back to it. Unfortunately, it was over too quickly. But the aftermath was annoying. The hero brought him over to the cops for some questions and the medics looked over injuries. They suggested he go to the hospital, but Natsu didn't want to. After a bit of convincing, the medics gave him an ice pack and patched the minor cuts around his chest. The medics claimed he was lucky and finally let him go. Now he was late home and had to explain his whereabouts.
The front door creaked open.
Natsu stepped inside. His body was sore, his chest felt a bit itchy from the healed cuts and his jaw hurt. He really had to stop blocking with his face. His school uniform was in tatters, shirt completely burned away, the blazer practically hanging on by one sleeve. His left sleeve and side was gone entirely, and his slacks were torn at the knee, dirt and blood smudging the fabric. A bruise was already forming along his jaw. He just wanted to take a shower.
He had barely taken a step inside when
"Yakuto!"
Rei's voice rang through the hallway as she appeared from the kitchen, eyes widening in horror at the state of him.
"Mom?" he blinked. "I'm—"
"What happened to you?!" Rei was already moving toward him, panic lacing her voice. "You didn't call and its so late."
Fuyumi came in behind her, gasping audibly. "Oh my god, are you okay?!"
"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Natsu held up his hands, but it did nothing to stop the stampede.
Shoto came around the corner, eyes narrowing sharply. "What happened?"
Natsuo followed a second later, going stiff as he saw Natsu's bruised face and shredded clothes. "Whoa… what the hell?"
Rei gently cupped his face, fingers brushing carefully over the forming bruise on his cheek. "You're not fine. You're bruised. Were you in a fight? Is anything broken?"
Natsu winced slightly as she touched a sore spot. "Just… a villain.."
Gray came down the stairs, casually sipping from a water bottle, then stopped cold when he saw his brother.
His eyes flicked across Natsu's body. Torn clothes. Burned edges. Minor bleeding. Bruising. Smelled smokey.
"…This idiot…. He got into another fight?" Gray muttered, now more alert.
"Wait—" Shoto stepped forward, brow furrowed. "What happened!"
Natsu quickly shook his head. "Crazy Villain! He kidnapped me. I swear. I didn't go looking for him, I was just walking home, when this crazy animal dude just grabbed him and dragged me away. I swear."
That seemed to buy him a small reprieve. Shoto still looked skeptical, but didn't press.
Rei's fingers trembled slightly as she moved to check his arms, looking for any deep cuts or dislocations. Her eyes were misty.
"I'm okay, Mom. Really," Natsu said gently, his voice softened at the concern in her eyes.
Fuyumi hovered nearby with a damp towel, trying to wipe off some of the dirt from his shoulder. "Still, you should sit down. You're shaking."
"I'm not—" Natsu paused.
Rei gave him a soft smile, still clearly worried. "Go take a shower. Clean up. I'll get the first aid kit."
Natsu sighed, but smiled back. "Yeah… alright."
As he turned to go, he caught Gray's eyes again. There was no joke or smirk on his face this time.
"Who the hell did that to you…?" Gray muttered under his breath.
Natsu didn't answer. He just kept walking. He mouthed later to Gray who just nodded.
Steam hissed softly around Natsu as he rubbed a towel through his damp hair. After the shower, the grime and blood were gone, though his back and muscles were still aching. Dressed down now in grey sweats and a plain black tee, he released a small wave of heat from his body, drying his hair with ease.
The house suddenly felt nice and comfortable.
Downstairs, the living room was filled with the soft clink of utensils and the quiet buzz of conversation. Rei stood waiting by the dining table, an ice pack in one hand and pain medication in the other. Her expression softened with relief as Natsu entered, her eyes scanning over him again to reassure herself.
"Sit," she said gently. "You must be starving."
Natsu obeyed with only a small groan, taking the seat she guided him to. A plate of curry rice and grilled vegetables waited for him, comfort food. He muttered a thank you, and Rei smiled faintly, placing the ice pack next to him.
Shoto, Fuyumi, and Natsuo were gathered on the couch nearby, the television droning in the background, tuned to the evening news. Gray sat cross-legged on the floor, still casting occasional glances at Natsu.
The front door opened.
Endeavor stepped in, still in his hero uniform. His eyes fell immediately on Natsu, and narrowed.
"…What happened to you?"
Natsu looked up from his plate, half a spoonful raised.
"Villain attack," he replied simply, shrugging one shoulder. "I already explained."
Endeavor didn't get a chance to reply.
"Breaking update on today's incident in central Musutafu," the news anchor announced.
Everyone turned toward the screen. Shoto turned up the volume.
Footage filled the display—grainy but clear enough. Civilians had managed to record the moment it all began. A figure in a black suit and trench coat dragged a young boy—through the street, claws pressed to his neck. His feet barely touched the ground.
"—The villain identified as Black Leopard, a high A-rank criminal responsible for multiple murders and prior escapes, was seen abducting a middle school student earlier this afternoon. Eyewitnesses describe him as armed and extremely dangerous—"
"See?!" Natsu yelled, jabbing a finger at the TV. "Told you guys!"
Shoto blinked, stunned. Fuyumi covered her mouth. Natsuo leaned forward.
Gray whistled under his breath. "They actually caught it on camera…"
Endeavor stood frozen, eyes locked on the screen. His brows twitched as recognition hit.
"…Black Leopard," he muttered. "That wasn't just any villain. He's one of the more violent A-ranks… feral, smart, and completely unhinged. He's already killed a few heroes. I heard Mirko took him out today."
Rei turned pale, one hand instinctively clutching to Natsu's shoulder.
The broadcast continued, shifting to a separate clip, this one showing the aftermath.
"Pro Hero Mirko arrived on scene shortly after. Sources confirm she tracked and subdued the villain in the forest outskirts. The boy was unharmed, thanks to her timely intervention—"
They showed Mirko standing in front of the cameras, dust and smoke in the background. No Natsu in sight. The footage cut just before she waved off reporters and disappeared.
"There," Natsu said quickly, pointing at the screen. "Told you guys—I didn't do anything."
Shoto narrowed his eyes, skeptical. "You didn't fight back at all?"
"I did," Natsu said flatly, popping a piece of karaage into his mouth. "Broke free of him later. Then the rabbit lady showed up and took care of it." Natsu recalled what Mirko told him. Even though it was self defence, he used his quirk to fight back and defeated the villain. It would be more trouble for Natsu. She said she will take care of it and not tell people anything. Since Natsu didn't care much about the credit, he agreed. He didn't want any unnecessary hassle.
Gray rolled his eyes. Natsu was injured and the villain was taken out. There was a 100% chance Natsu was the one who took him out.
"Damn villain," Natsuo muttered. "Kidnapping a student in broad daylight?"
Fuyumi had her hands clutched to her chest, relief still all over her face. "Thank god Mirko was nearby…"
Rei pressed the ice pack a little more gently to Natsu's face. "It's okay, sweetheart. Just eat and rest."
Endeavor stood silently behind the couch, his gaze locked on the screen. His jaw was tight. Mirko had been the one to defeat Black Leopard?
But something felt off. His instincts gnawed at him.
His eyes shifted to Natsu, who sat calmly, eyes on his plate, not the screen. Relaxed. Unbothered.
But Endeavor said nothing. He just shook his head. Impossible…
–
Later in the evening, Gray and Shoto came into Natsu's room.
Natsu looked up at him. "Yessss?'
"The villain, did Mirko really take it down?" Shoto asked.
Natsu didn't try to hide it this time. "Nope. All me."
Shoto was surprised. "You actually took him down yourself?" his brother was already able to take out an A rank villain. How was that even possible?
"Yeah, he was strong though." Natsu casually replied.
"How is it that you keep finding trouble…" Shoto sighed, but there was a small smile on his face.
Gray smiled, but quickly hid it. "Can't believe you got smacked around like that flame brain." He teased as he walked out.
Natsu immediately gave chase. "WHAT!! I totally wrecked him."
Gray just laughed. Even Shoto laughed as he followed them.