CHAPTER 1
Arthur Auguste Angel got up out of bed for the third time this morning to blow his breakfast. He didn't think there was any food left in him to hack up. At this point, it was all bile. All this wretching was making him worried too. He was probably really sick. It couldn't be the flu, since he was only getting the nausea part, and it isn't a stomach virus if it lasts for three weeks. What could be wrong? He thought to himself as stomach heaved up more bile. Ugh, if I eat anything that wouldn't only end up half digested in the toilet... Maybe I should see a doctor...? It was a terrible thought, but it might be the only way he'll feel better. His wretching and heaving finally stopped, and he washed out his mouth carefully, making sure it didn't look like he was barfing all over himself. That would be embarrassing.
Checking himself over for a second and third time, he found his cell phone and called his clinic. He was able to schedule something for this afternoon, thankfully. All he needed now was to get dressed and go down there. Deciding not to wear his Paladin uniform, he looked in his dresser and found a pair of blue jeans and a black t-shirt. He put them on and searched for his wallet. Since he never used it, he forgot where he put it. He found it in the kitchen next to the microwave. He looked in it, and found about fifty or sixty bucks. Just enough to get a cab there and back and maybe buy a 12 pack of ginger ale to ease his stomach. Just before he left his house, he managed to eat a piece of toast. Maybe something plain would stay down better.
He dialed the taxi service number, and waited a few rings before someone picked up.
"Hello this is Kyoto Taxi, how may I help you today?"
"Yeah, I wanted to get a cab to the city clinic on _ Street."
"Name and address sir?"
"Arthur Auguste, at _ - _ Avenue."
"Alright Mr. Auguste, your cab will be there in about 5 to 10 minutes."
"Thank you." He hung up and pocketed his cell phone and wallet and made his way to his porch. After about 7 minutes a cab pulled up, and Arthur got in. He told the driver where he was going and saw him start the meter. He didn't realize they arrived until the cab was a few feet from the clinic. He paid the driver the $20 with a $10 tip, and got out. The fresh air seemed to help his uneasy stomach a bit, and for a few seconds, he just stood there, breathing in deep breaths.
Feeling much better, Arthur stepped into the clinic and checked in. The person at the desk told him to take a seat, and when the doctor was free, she would have a look at him. Taking a seat next to the fish tank, Arthur immersed himself in the world of the fish. There was a small orange one with thick white stripes that he thought was a clownfish, and a beautiful blue and yellow one that reminded him of that fish from Finding Nemo that forgot everything. Dory or something like that. Just as he began to wonder how to tell a girl fish from a boy fish – completely out of pure boredom – the nurse called him and he was taken to get his vitals checked.
Blood pressure was great, temperature was fine, pulse was normal, weight was reasonable, everything looked fine. But none of that would explain what was happening. Except maybe the temperature.
"The doctor will be here shortly, Mr. Auguste." Said the nurse cheerfully.
"Thanks" Was all he could say in return. He lay down on the uncomfortable little table and looked up to the ceiling. Bored yet again, he looked for fun little patterns in the painted cork tiles above him. He found something that looked like a sword, and one that kind of looked like a fox's face. Before long the doctor had entered the room. She was sort of tall – around five foot seven – and had medium length black hair. Her small glasses were pushed up as she looked at the clipboard in her arms.
"Hello, my name is Dr. Satomi Haruno. So, Mr. Auguste, what brings you here today?"
"Well, I've been really nauseous lately. Every morning I wake up, and go to the bathroom to throw up."
"Alright…." Dr. Haruno said, jotting down some notes. She looked back at his file on the other page. "It says here you're an Exorcist."
"Yes, a Paladin, actually,"
"Do you think this could be demon related?"
"It crossed my mind, yes."
"Hmmm…. Alright, we'll run some tests. Have you been able to keep any thing down?"
"So far, only a slice of toast."
She nodded and wrote down a few more notes. "Alright, I'm going to ask for a urine sample, and I'll have a nurse come in to take some blood and check for obvious infections." Arthur nodded and watched her take out a fresh urine sample cup. She showed him the nearby bathroom and left. He finished the urine sample, sighed and went back to looking for the patterns in the ceiling. Within a few minutes a male nurse came in with the blood drawing supplies. He found his veins easily, and rubbed an alcohol pad over it. The only thing Arthur didn't like about getting his blood drawn was the anticipation of the needle prick and the removal of the needle. It made him so uneasy. After that was over he was fine. He even looked at the blood come out of his veins and into the tubes.
The nurse finished drawing the blood and took the needle out. He started checking Arthur's body for infected cuts or blemishes, and found none.
"You're all clear. Maybe the lab will find something." he said smiling. He took the case of blood drawing equipment and Arthur's blood and left. For the third time today, the young Paladin found himself staring at the ceiling to entertain himself.
About twenty minutes pass before Dr. Haruno comes in. She had one of those worried looks that made you worried too. Arthur sat up and looked her, silently begging her to tell him he was fine, even though he knew he wasn't.
"I'm referring you to Dr. Griffin Kokoro. He might have a more…. experienced opinion on your condition."
Kabuto: Hello, readers! Kabuto here! What a chapter! Let me know how you liked it, and what your suggestions are. I know there isn't much character development, but my friend Blitztron is working on "seeting the mood" or so she says…
Arthur: What is happening to me demon?!
Kabuto: *shrugs* I can't say.
Arthur: WHY NOT?!
Kabuto: Bye everyone! *waves*
Arthur: I'M NOT DONE TALKING TO YOU, YOU FEATHER BRAINED DEMON! GET BACK HERE!
