Taming Kestrel

by Black Falcon 01

A brand new second Male IS pilot appears at the IS academy, a small boy... but who is this child? What is his is reason for being here? and is the world really okay with women ruling the world?

7. Chapter 7: A haunting vision

Black Falcon 01

Here again with another chapter, As promised Kestrel, Ichika and the gang return operating IS. However Kestrel manages to prove Ichika right, ( about Kestrel being traumitised by a black past ). This time a lot more students get to see it, and Laura digs up info on the said youngster. For those that have followed my story and have listed it as one of their favorites, God bless you all, remember I give you all my support in return.

Taming Kestrel Chapter 7

IS Academy, Ichika's bedroom 22:00pm: -

Ever since the interpreter arrived at the IS academy things have started looking up for our little Israeli boy, with the exception of having a terrifying nightmare and fainting in front of the famous Chifuyu Orimura. Ichika being the first to build a friendly relation with the said boy takes a look at the sleeping Israeli child in the bed opposite from his own. Dispite having a very peaceful look of slumber on his face, Kestrel has his knees to his chest. Dispite being layed down on his side, the said child is still making the fetal position. Ichika dispite smiling lets out a sigh, as Ichika sits up in his bed prepareing to turn out the lamp he suddenly gets once again, lost in thought..

( "IS lessons start again tommorrow, I just hope the poor lil' kid understands what he's doing tommorrow, even though he has an interpreter I still can't see what differance it'll make if he gets into trouble again. Well... at least Chifuyu-nee knows that somethings wrong with the kid, so I guess any problems won't be delt with shouting and swearing at him then. Hmm... speaking of IS piloting, those movements when Cecilia fired those missiles at him, it was as if he knew what he was doing. Impressive though, I wonder were he got that knowledge from. Is it really possible that he's flown an IS like he did today before coming here? He must have! Where else would he have got those skills from!?" ).

As Ichika gets lost further and further in thought, he raises an eyebrow in thought. Kestrel meanwhile remains still and as silent as a tombstone.

( "Still... the main question that still springs to mind is those scars on his back" ) Before Ichika can think on a terrible chill goes up Ichika's spine, he gets a horrible sickening feeling that overwhelms his gut and his nerves, Ichika closes his eyes and shakes his head violently. ( "DAMN! I can't get those scars out of my head, its painful enough to look at the one on his face, god knows how he got them and to be honest I don't think I really want to know!" ) As Ichika regains compossure he casts a sorrowful look at the sleeping child. ( "I just hope he won't get any nightmares again, the state he was in looked as though he had just crawled out of hell after the last one he had. I just hope what ever it is he's had done to him won't rear its ugly head around here thats for sure!" ). As Ichika shakes his head in worry a voice from outside gets his attention.

"HEY! YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE AWAKE! GET BACK TO BED!"

Ichika yelps in surprise, and quickly turns out the light. As Ichika quickly lays down and puts his head on the pillow he looks towards his bedroom door. He hears footsteps walking towards the door. The voice that just shouted in anger was none other than his sister Chifuyu, the last thing Ichika wants now is to be in trouble for not obeying academy rules. He's already been in trouble for reckless piloting with IS. As Ichika closes his eyes and listens carefuly, the sound of the footsteps become more faint. Taking one final breath for the night, Ichika sighs and readies himself for slumber. ( "I just hope tommorrow brings better ressults" ) - Ichika thinks to himself as he falls asleep.

- Scene change: IS academy training ground, 08:30am: -

"GOOD!" Shouts a voice belonging to Chifuyu as she walks behind a line of IS students, in full activated IS. Each IS student holds a rifle and aims at a distant target. Chifuyu has her arms behind her back as she walks in a very official manner behind each students. "GOOD!" Shouts the black haired, pony tailed woman as each student fires a rifle at a paper or wooden target. Each target is set up as the classic circled target in blue, white and red. Some students stand, others like Laura lay flat on their front, Cecilia is knelt down on one knee, like a person proposing marriage. Despite being new to this type of training, each student has a look of scheer determination on their faces to score the highest points possible.

Though many have trouble keeping up with Cecilia, whom keeps getting bullseye after bullseye. As Chifuyu walks with her chest out straight, she keeps her eyes focused on the targets and the shots hitting the marks, for now everyone is scoreing a white mark, the exceptions being Laura and a few other students. Ichika stands beside Kestrel, Ichika's shots mostly being white, but at there are traces that Ichika has just clipped the red area being the bullseye. Kestrel stands still, not firing a shot. On one side Houki is standing with her personal IS, firing every 5 seconds. Though she has payed attention to the fact that Kestrel is not shooting, she keeps quiet. Ichika however notices and stops shooting. "You okay Kestrel?" Ichika asks with concern.

Kestrel looks at Ichika with a confused look, Ichika smiles and motions with his hand for Kestrel to shoot. Kestrel looks at the rifle in his arms and back at Ichika, a worried look apears on the young boy's face. Ichika puts his hand on Kestrel's shoulder and smiles kindly. "Just do your best okay". Kestrel looks Ichika in the eyes and tilts his head, but at least Kestrel has a small smile on his face. Kestrel's eyes however have a look inside them, mostly concerning fear and pain. Ichika notices the look but shrugs it off, instead Ichika motions again with his hand for Kestrel to fire at the target. Houki all the while casts looks at Ichika whom comforts the young Israeli beside him, Houki's face remains straight and neutral, but deep down she has a feeling of proudness at how well Ichika is handeling the situation. As soon as Houki fires her next shot, she accidently misses her intended mark, hitting the blue outer ring. ( "DAMN! Focus Houki, keep it together!" ) Houki angrily thinks to herself. As this happens Cecilia and Laura are making other students look a shambles. "EXCELLENT! KEEP IT UP ALCOTT!" Chifuyu calls out, though the voice is of praise, the mighty Chifuyu keeps her serious facial image.

Ichika and Kestrel oblivious that Chifuyu is gradually walking closer towards them. Ichika however fires a handful of shots out to show Kestrel what to do, Kestrel smiles, but looks to the floor. Kestrel mutters something in Israeli, Ichika catching some of his words but not understanding what they mean. Ichika once again stops what he's doing and focuses his attention on Kestrel. "Its alright, just aim and fire" Ichika explains, whilst pointing at the target. However this time Kestrel begins to look down the rifle and aims at a target, Ichika pats Kestrel's shoulder as a form of encouragement. As Ichika goes back to shooting, Kestrel's eyes become glazed. The sound of gunshots are causing the said child to hear sounds other than just the sounds of the rifles, instead Kestrel begins to hear lasers, explosions and the sounds of screaming of all ages of both genders. As Kestrel's mind begins to wander, he is unaware that he is standing idle, and now Chifuyu is only 2 students away from him. Even the calls of the said woman are not getting through to him. Even Ichika and Houki patting Kestrel's shoulders are'nt even getting through to him, untill... "KESTREL!". The Israeli boy jumps in startlement and accidently fires, the shot amazingly hitting the bulls eye!

Chifuyu dispite noticeing that Kestrel has hit the bullseye is not in the slightest amused at Kestrel's lack of performance. "Kestrel, whats the matter!? Whats the matter!?" Chifuyu repeats with a look of annoyance and anger. "Are you blind or stupid! There's a target there! FIRE! YOU HEAR ME!? FIRE!" Chifuyu shouts whilst pointing towards the target. Kestrel does not even turn his head, but begins to shoot at the target anyway. Kestrel fires 3 rounds at the target, each shot hitting the bullseye! Ichika and Houki stop shooting and stare in amazement, for a 10 year old boy to hit the bullseye, thats got to be a moment of amazement.

Kestrel pauses for 5 seconds before firing another 3 rounds, each round fired 4 seconds apart from each other. Once again all 3 rounds hit the centre. "GOOD! Now... STAY FOCUSED!" Chifuyu shouts in annoyance. As Chifuyu walks away, Ichika taps Kestrel on the shoulder and with a look of awe and pride, gives Kestrel the thumbs up. Kestrel smiles slightly at Ichika, Houki smiles slightly herself.. ( "Who is this kid!?" ) She thinks in amazement. However as Kestrel beggins to fire away without hesitation at the targets, the child's eyes glaze over again. This time Kestrel does not hear things, but for a second sees a quick flash of 3 people running past him, as Kestrel turns his head, he sees only the other IS students shooting away at the set up targets. As Kestrel looks around in confusion his eyes meet Houki's, she looks at the child with concerned look. Kestrel stumbles in alarm but smiles awkwardly, Houki smiles back and gets back to shooting.

As Kestrel regains his balance and posture, he looks down his rifle barrel and fires away. Even though the IS rifles don't have any sniper lens, the accurate shooting from Kestrel is something to be impressed with. A few of his shots hit the white ring, but a majority hit the outer area of the red circled bullseye. As Kestrel prepares to fire another shot a loud horn blasts, taking Kestrel by surprise and causing him to yelp and jump. A female computer voice then calls out "Please hold fire, fresh target set up in progress". Ichika places a hand on Kestrel's rifle pushing the weapon's barrel towards the ground. Kestrel looks at Ichika with confusion whilst Ichika smiles at Kestrel in a form of reasurance.

- 4 minutes later -

Dispite the wait the new targets are soon set up and with the blast of a horn, the shooting continues on. This time Kestrel maintains a focused mind, Ichika and Houki doing the same. However as the shooting continues, Kestrel suddenly gets a flash of someone running past him, as Kestrel turns his head quickly to the right, the image of a person running past him occurs again on the left. Kestrel turns his head again. Theres nothing there. As Kestrel sighs, he glances down and suddenly something is there to meet his gaze. A severed hand laying on the ground. Kestrel's eyes widen and his face losses colour. As Kestrel closes his eyes and shakes his head, he rubs his eyes to be sure that he is'nt seeing things. Even though the cold and pointy IS fingers are rough on Kestrel's skin the feeling helps Kestrel be sure that he is'nt seeing things. As Kestrel opens his eyes, a feeling of relief washes over him, the severed hand is gone, theres nothing on the ground.

As Kestrel rolls his ocean blue eyes, he looks ahead of him and starts shooting again. A few moments pass, but Kestrel soon gets another dose of ghostly images. This time, Kestrel catches a brief flash of 3 people running across the firing range. Kestrel looks away with his eyes shut, but as as Kestrel opens his eyes and looks ahead of him, more people run by to the right. These people are dressed in civilian clothing, and are of both genders, between the age of 13 to 19, some clothes have blood on them. As Kestrel becomes overwhelmed with the images, his face and body losses colour. Houki manages to catch a sight of Kestrel looking panicked. His face is white, he is occasionaly closing his eyes and looking away, then opening his eyes and looking forward again. Knowing that something is wrong, Houki raises her arm, turns to look at Maya and calls out the top of her lungs "Yamada sensei! Something's wrong with Kestrel!".

Maya in IS, turns her head and notices the alarmed Israeli child and with a concerned look walks forward. Some students that heard Houki cease fire, and look at the sight for themselves. Muttering and whispering between IS students begins, some of the girls lowering their weapons and stepping away from the range to see whats wrong with the long, black haired child.

For Kestrel he is becoming more and more panicked, ghostly figures are running around left, right and centre. Some figures have arms or parts of their heads missing, others have the looks of utter terror and shock on their faces. Many figures are covered in blood and have a messy looking face, or disfigured body parts. As Kestrel points his IS rifle around and swings the barrel in differant directions, all the IS schoolgirls keep turning their heads around to try and see what it is the terrified youngster is pointing his rifle at. Chifuyu whom has caught sight of what is happening also turns her head to the left, when Kestrel swivels round to point his IS rifle at something, all IS students looking behind them to see what is wrong. At this point, Ichika and Houki get the look of utter concern on their faces, and in a low and concerned voice speak the word "Kestrel?".

Suddenly... As Kestrel turns round, his eyes meet the cold, dead eyes of a long brunette woman, with a white, pale face. The most noticeable feature on this woman is a bullet hole between her eyes, Kestrel can see all the way down the hole and out the back of her head. Kestrel's eyes widen as wide as possible his colour is drained and tears of terror start to roll down his face. Kestrel's mouth is slightly open and he begins to violently shake in terror. Kestrel's breathing stops, but then after 10 seconds Kestrel begins to shout out one word "No..No.." At this point Ichika and Houki deactivate their personal IS and prepare to rush to the terror stricken child. Maya calls out while blasting forward, "EVERYONE OUT OF THE WAY!", but before Maya can get to the terrified child, Kestrel's shrieking becomes so loud that all students can tell the poor child is scared out of his mind. "NO! NO! NO! HELP ME!" Kestrel screams in Israeli as he falls to his knees and begins to crawl forward in panic. Kestrel's IS deactivates, but that does not stop the panicked child, however Maya reaches the child and in one swoop grabs the child in her arms. Even though Maya is in IS, she needs it. Kestrel is so badly panicked that his struggling would break the lock of any woman's grip. "KESTREL!" Maya shouts out, trying desperately to calm the Israeli boy down. Chifuyu runs forward, her face full of concern. All the other IS students look with the looks of alarm or fear.

"KESTREL! KESTREL! CALM DOWN! CALM DOWN!" Maya shouts in concern. As Chifuyu runs past Ichika she shouts out "EVERYONE STAY WHERE YOU ARE!". As Chifuyu runs up to Maya, whom is now on one knee on the ground, trying to craddle the panicked child in her arms like a loving mother, Chifuyu kneels down and grabs Kestrel's arms. By now Kestrel is shouting Israeli words and phrases in utter fear. Maya puts a hand over Kestrel's mouth, and calls out "I Can't understand what he's saying!", Kestrel's eyes close, tears run down his face like a rain storm, and all that can be heared is heart broken crying. Chifuyu then turns her head towards a schoolgirl with purple ponytail. "YOU! GET YUI SAKURADA! NOW!". The girl obeys, deactivates her IS and runs off. Maya now has hold of Kestrel's hand, and is speaking comfort words towards the child. "Calm down, thats it, thats it". Chifuyu casts a look at Maya "What the hell's happened!?", Chifuyu asks with concern. Maya looks at Chifuyu and shakes her head. Ichika and Houki have the looks of utter shock and concern, they look at each other and then back at the scene before them. As Chifuyu stands, she turns to look at the students, her eyes land on Ichika. Chifuyu mimicks with her hand, telling Ichika to come over. Ichika immediately doing as he is told. As Ichika makes it over to Chifuyu, Chifuyu looks Ichika in the face, she puts on a very serious face. "Ichika, can you stay with Kestrel? Talk to him". Ichika, with a serious face of his own, nods and rushes up to the shaken, crying, scar-faced child.

- 10 minutes later -

By now every IS student has either gathered around Kestrel, Maya and Ichika. Even Yui's arrival makes the crowd become more and more heavy. Since her arrival Yui been asking the same questions over and over again, Kestrel either shaking his head or nodding. At least now Maya has been able to set the shaken child down on the ground, many students becoming more and more concerned by the moment. As Ichika looks down at the shook up boy, he begins to wonder what caused young Kestrel to suddenly go into a fit of terror. However after an effort Kestrel begins to recover, and finally starts to talk, even though its in Israeli, Houki has a fair idea of what Kestrel is saying to Yui. "Whats wrong?" Maya asks with curiosity. Yui looks at Maya with a concerned look, "He claims "Please, tell me you saw what I saw"". Maya getting curious asks Yui "What? What was it he just saw?". As Yui replies Maya's question in Israeli, Kestrel turns his head to look up at the green haired teacher. As soon as the youngster completes his message, Yui looks at Maya and speaks out, "He says, "That lady with a hole in her head"". As everyone looks at Kestrel, they notice something with his eyes, Kestrel has what is known as the 1,000 yard stare.

Maya looks at Yui, her blood seeming to go cold. Some IS students look at each other with a concerned look. Maya seems to stutter before turning to Cecilia and asking "C..Could you go to the nurse and tell her to be ready to recive a student?" Cecilia stands and with a concerned voice replies "Yes ofcourse". Before anyone else can ask a question or say anthing Chifuyu shouts out with her authority tone "All right! Class dissmissed, everyone leave the training ground and get ready for your next lessons! Right now!" Some students cast looks and mutter words of concern whilst walking away, others send looks towards Kestrel. As Ichika stands and prepares to leave Chifuyu puts her hand on Ichika's shoulder and says "Good work Ichika, You did great!".

Ichika smiles back at his sister as he walks away with Houki and the remainder of the students. As Maya and Yui help Kestrel to stand, Chifuyu looks Yui in the eyes and in a firm and clear tone states. "Yui... ask Kestrel if he wants to stay here or if he wants to leave". Yui blinks, and with a face of concern, looks down into young Kestrel's ocean blue eyes and repeats Chifuyu's question. Kestrel looks upward at Yui and immediately replies to Yui's question. Yui sighs, looks Chifuyu and states "He said that he "Wants to stay"". Chifuyu crosses her arms and replies "Very well... Tell him "We have to talk about this tonight, the students will want to know what was wrong, and it may help take some pressure of his mind"". Yui repeats the message to Kestrel, Kestrel smiles and with a face full of gratitude bows to Chifuyu and happily replies "Thankyou". Chifuyu smiles, turns and walks away. Yui takes Kestrel's hand and together the group walk back into the academy interior.

- Scene change: IS academy cafateria - 14:10pm

It had been a while, but now Kestrel was back with Ichika and the gang. Some students only look at the Israeli child and whisper to each other. Ichika immediately walking up to Kestrel and with a happy face asks "Are you okay Kestrel? What happened?". As Yui looks down at Kestrel and repeats Ichika's message, Kestrel first looks up at Yui and then at Ichika, Kestrel takes a breath and finally speaks.

After a minute, Yui smiles. She looks Ichika in the face and states "He says "I'm alright, I feel a lot better now, Regards to what I saw, Orimura Sensei has told me not to talk about it. I have to talk to her again tonight. I said I want to stay and she says I can, but I have to get regular check ups with the nurse if I want to stay here"". Ichika sighs in relief. Houki smiles, Charlotte and Cecilia smile with happiness at the Israeli child before them.

Taking the chance a group of schoolgirls join the gang, one of which takes the chance to introduce herself, the girl has long, dark blue hair with a butterfly hair clip. "Hello, I could'nt help but overhear the conversation, also I saw what happened during IS lessons. My name is Tomoe Shizuka, and I think I can help you". As the girl bows politely ending her introduction Ichika and the gang look at the said girl and smile at her. "Ah... Yes, its nice to meet you" Ichika replies. As Charlotte, Houki and Rin stand from their seats and walk forward towards the new girl. "Can we help you?" Houki asks with a look of serious concern on her face. Tomoe now lifting her hands up as means of showing no harm quickly replies "Oh, I'm sorry! I was just trying to help this child thats all".

"In what way do you plan to help?" Rin asks, giving Tomoe a suspisous look. Tomoe sweatdrops but happily replies by looking everyone in the face. "Its okay I'm someone you can trust, I'm experianced with working with people that have PTSD. My cousin has it and I can tell that this child has it so I just thought I could.."

"Wait!" - Charlotte quickly speaks out interupting Tomoe, "You have experiance in working with people with Post Traumatic Stress?". Charlotte becoming more interested in this girl. Rin and Houki have the look of curiosity. Ichika has a hopeful look. "Tomoe, If you can help then that would be very welcome!" Ichika quickly speaks with a look of hope on his face. "Yes, I can help... ah... only if thats okay with everyone" Tomoe claims, having looked at Rin, Charlotte and Houki giving her a look of suspision. Yui casting a look of curiosity at the new girl. Rin is the next to speak, "No disrespect but its already clear that Kestrel is suffering from PTSD, don't you think Orimura sensei has already thought of something like, sending for a therapist?"

"Maybe, but Orimura sensei has a habbit of not letting any help from close friends take place, that is... concerning personal matters" Cecilia comments.

"Yeah, because stuff like that causes things like scandal, and misuderstandings" - Houki puts in, with her hands placed on her waist.

"Well it's not like were planning to let information of Kestrel leak into the open" - Ichika states with a sincere look on his face.

"Oh no! I don't intend for that at all!" - Tomoe states with a look of fear or desperation on her face.

"I'm sorry, but we are'nt convinced just by meeting a stranger right of the bat" - Rin states with an eyebrow raised

"Well... would'nt anything be better than watching Kestrel suffer?" - Yui claims with a concerned look for the little Israeli beside her.

"We want the Kid to heal as soon as possible, but after whats happened... we... just can't be sure" - Cecilia claims whilst glancing a look towards Kestrel.

"Well its not like we have anything to lose, so why don't we give Tomoe a chance?" - Charlotte speaks, a smile on her face. It can't be denied, the scene Kestrel played out today has already become top academy news. So in order to avoid any problems its best to get the truth out, but at the same time... even good intentions have caused bad ressults. Yui becomes heavily interested in what is being discussed in front of her and adds her views "Well, Orimura sensei did'nt confirm anything about giving Kestrel a therapist, so as far as I can see, the best thing to do is to help Kestrel in lessons as best we can, talk about his problems without letting any confirmed material get out in the open". Ichika smiles and looks at the others. Charlotte, Cecilia, Houki and Rin all shrug but all give in and claim "All right Tomoe, welcome aboard". Tomoe bowing happily and letting an overjoyed "Thankyou very much" come out of her mouth. Kestrel tilts his head but his nerves remain stable.

"KESTREL! ARE YOU ALRIGHT!?" A female voice squeals, everyone being taken by surprise. Kestrel is then glomped from behind by three schoolgirls, 1 of which is the known Shotacon, the other 2 most likely her friends. As Kestrel is pulled into a tight and loving hug, the irony of being smothered by girl's breasts, bodies and sweet perfume smelling faces takes place again. Ichika makes an awkward smile and sweatdrops. Cecilia and Charlotte look and each other, then look at the floor shaking their heads. Houki and Rin put their index fingers to their foreheads and close their eyes. ( "Oh boy!" ) everyone thinks to themselves. As Kestrel begins to suffer the sympathy of some of the academy schoolgirls, Yui breaks the ice by asking a question that nearly everyone has forgotten. "That reminds me, theres a girl missing from your group, the one with silver hair and an eye patch." Everyone's head rises and then the reality hits home.

"Oh yeah, Were's Laura?" - Cecilia asks

"I think she went up to our bedroom" - Charlotte states with an index finger raised as sign of explanation

Ichika looks around and calls out "Laura? LAURA!?", a few moments pass and suddenly a reply comes back "COMING!". Ichika and the gang being taken by surprise, but saying that... when Ichika is involved Laura is like a dog that heard the dog's whistle. As everyone looks at each other, Rin speaks out in a tone of ironic huff "God knows what she gets up to!". Yui and Tomoe unwittingly thinking the same thing to themselves ( "Wow, I won't get bored here!" ).

As the silver haired German girl rushes up to Ichika she claims something that even Tomoe was not expecting "My Wife, I've found something out about the new kid!".

That is Chapter seven, for now, Kestrel is having a bad time, but don't go away! Things get a lot better from here on, As the saying goes "Even the word Hopeless, has Hope". So stick around those who still find this fanfic interesting. Also Clarissa Harfoch should make an appearance in the next chapter, well... that is the intention, and hopefuly more romcom should appear with Ichika and the girls. Lets see how well Kestrel goes on with a person whom understands PTSD and what it is Laura has found out.

Black Falcon 01