The sweet sound of birds chirping woke up the young trainer from her slumber. Julia yawned, streching, her back and neck hurting. This was her first time not falling asleep on a soft bed. And she could feel it all over her body. The ache run from the tip of her toes all the way to her neck and ears.

She groaned, having a good look about herself. Finally it was bright outside, the sun being high on the sky. Julia took a quick glance behind her. Charmander was still fast asleep against the same rock from yesterday. And the Fire type looked more than comfortable against the hard piece of stone. Julia might even describe him having a content aura.

She quietly got up, with a stealth of a cat the trainer snuck outside of the cave.

The sun was beautifully warming up the grass and air around them. It was still a little early, but Julia's body ached for her to move. To stretch her body.

And why not, Charmander could still rest. Julia headed towards some tall grass, as rarer herbs tended to grow there.

A small warning went through her mind, remembering someone saying that it was not safe to go to the high grass. But the trainer was unable to remember that reason. It might not even be a warning now that she thought about it.

So with a good conscience, Julia ignored the nagging sound at the back of her mind and ventured forth. Leaving her bag and partner behind.

Sweet scent of flowers filled the field. All sorts of different kinds of plants mixed together. To create even more beautiful smell.

"Hmmm.."

Julia mused, being certain that she saw something move in the corner of her eye. But but the time she turned there, nothing was moving. A fiction of her imagination?

She shrugged and kept on walking. Julia hoped a little that she would have a hat with her, the sun was shining without a mercy from a clear blue sky.

"Oh, Burn heal!"

The trainer smiled excitedly. Spotting a fire red plant, with long leaves between the tall green grass. Getting onto her knees, being careful to examine the plant. And made certain that it was the right one. Not wanting to take poison with her instead.

"Lucky, these are rare."

She smiled, taking a small knife from her pocket. Julia was careful to cut the plant without severing it's roots. So new one would grow some day. The spicy, thick aroma confirmed Julia's suspicion. Having picked the right plant.

She was about to tuck the plant into her pocket for later, when something flash before her. Julia got back to her feet with new found swiftness, she was on alert. Looking around her, someone or something had stolen the Burn Heal herb from her hands as well.

"Who ever you are, show yourself!"

Julia demanded with a strong voice, not being afraid. She was more annoyed than scared at this point.

Behind a tree something lilatic came into view, Julia turned towards the figure. The red plant tightly squeezed into his fist.

"That is mine, give it back."

Julia said, holding out her hand for the person to hand it back to her. Having stolen it from her hands after all!

"Hmph."

Came a cocky grunt from the lilatic Pokemon, who finally came to full view. It was Rattata! Having fluffy, lilatic hair that resembled almost two mouse ears atop of his head. Matching shirt and white jeans. He was slim, which suited his sneaky behavior.

"How much are you willing to pay for it?"

The pokemon asked, eyeing the plant curiously. Possibly knowing it's worth himself. Julia was a little taken back by the sudden turn of events. Searching through her pockets, but she had left het money with Charmander. It was all in her bag. And the trainer had a feeling that the Pokemon wouldn't let her go back to the cave to get it.

Finally the warning that she had ignored rang clearer through her head. 'Beware tall grass, wild Pokemon dwell there.' Sweatdropping as it might have been better if she hadn't come here.

"I don't have any money on me, please, give it back."

Julia said, keeping her voice just as firm as before. Not wanting to let the rat pokemon see through her nervousness. That was taking over her body slowly. Julia was no fighter, it was usually the job for the Pokemon and not for the trainers. But it was not unheard of, that wild, sneaky pokemon attacked undefended trainers.

"Really? Then I'll gladly take your pokedex and Pokeballs. They were worth a whole lot."

Rattata changed his tactic, obviously after anything Julia had on her. That he could of course earn money from. The said trainer had those precious items in her pockets. Now wishing that she had left them back with Charmander. Who was possibly still sleeping too! And even if he wasn't, he wouldn't know where to find her.

"I changed my mind, you can have the herb."

Julia gave up, her items were more important than the herb. Which Rattata figured out too, squishing the plant between his nimble fingers. Glaring at the Trainer while his tail was moving about more agitated.

"I haven't. It's them or your health then."

Those large, reddish eyes had turned quite cold. They were piercing, but nothing compared to Charmander's eyes. That could possibly drill through the very Earth if he set his mind to it.

Julia took a step back, wondering if she could outrun Rattata. Possibly not, any outdoors activity wasn't her forte. Still she was not going to give up without a fight. Because she couldn't keep on her journey, if she lost them.

Without anything word, the brown haired girl turned on her heels and took off in a sprint. Her eyes closed as she solely focused on just running. Not looking behind her or in front of her. The sound of nimble feet quickly gained upon her.

Cursing in her mind, Julia tried to run quicker. As quickly as her legs would allow her to. However they were her worst enemies, stumbling and falling on the ground. Julia's legs felt like pair of noodles from how tired she was.

"Now I have you!"

Came a victorious squeek behind her, Rattata was already up in the air. Bouncing on her or he would have. But his head was caught in a powerful hold.

Those cold, stern eyes glared at the mouse before he was thrown back a good distance.

"CHARMANDER!"

Julia smiled, for the first time on her journey, she was happy to see him. Happy that he was here with her. That strong back was a welcome sight to the trainer as she struggled to stand up. Something that Charmander offered her no help with. Just holding her Back bag for Julia to take. No questions on what was happening or if she was alright.

"Tch, so you weren't alone."

Rattata growled, being more careful around the mean looking fire type. Charmander folded his arms over his chest, streching his neck. Getting ready for an obvious fight. His silence annoyed the mouse way too clearly and maybe that was the point of it.

"Don't think that you'll win!"

was all Rattata screamed before he lounced his attack. Bouncing way too nimbly on Charmander, this was not his first fight. Charmander looked unimpressed. He side stepped and with one ferocious punch sent the Rat stumbling back.

That flaming red hair moved like real fire along with Charmander's moves. His tail moved about, balancing the Fire type marvelously.

Meanwhile Rattata gasped for breath, the punch had emptied his lungs. But his fighting spirit was far from empty. Rattata was about to use his whole arsenal to defeat the silent fire lizard.

With speed and agility, Rattata took a long route around Charmander. Whose eyes followed the lilatic mouse about him constantly. Despite Rattata's quick and speedy moves, he was unable to loose Charmander. Which the Rat didn't see as a problem.

Julia was behind Charmander, holding her bag while she watched the two. This was her first battle as well. So the poor Trainer was a little overwhelmed by what was happening. She did try her best to keep up with Rattata, but it proved to be much harder for her.

"Charmander?"

she asked, but not disturbing his concentration any further.

Rattata made a sharp turn and with his feet, kicked sand at Charmander. Who had to use his arms to shield his eyes from being blinded.

An oppertunity that Rattata took to lunge at the defenceless Fire type. Smirking victoriously, this battle was decided.

"CHarmander, look out! He is coming at you!" Julia yelled, but way too late.

Charmander pulled his lungs full of air, he lowered his arms just in time for Rattata to scratch his cheek. But the Rat was too close to dodge quickly now. Which the fyre type used to his advantage. Emptying his fire breathing lungs on the Rat, whose hair caught aflame. Leaving the rat no other option, but to escape and leave the two in peace.

Julia sighed, not realizing how still she had been, until the battle ended. A smile returned to her lips, Charmander turned around.

Small trickle of blood running down his cheek from the nasty scratch, but that was it. Julia looked through her bag quickly and held out a bandaid for her partner.

"Here."

she said, smiling to him. But Charmander didn't return the smile. Instead of grasping the bandaid, he took a hold of Julia's wrist, pulling his trainer close to him. His eyes serious and much sterner than before. If that was even possible!

"Why did you leave?"

Charmander demanded, those sharp eyes not allowing Julia to look away. His strong hold kept her before him. Julia was not sure at first what she could say, what would be alright for her to say?

The truth.

"I decided to take a walk, to look for some herbs for later. You were sleeping and..."

"Do you even realize what could have happened?!"

Charmander growled dangerously, his hold not loosening one bit around Julia's wrist. His eyes showed no concern for Julia either.

"Well.. I... Didn't think.."

"You certainly did not! There are wild pokemon around, the Team Rocket could have shown up! I could have lost my partner!"

Charmander yelled seriously, finally letting go of Julia's wrist. Throwing it back to her, not wanting her help. He just swiped his cheek with his thump and turned around to leave.

"If you don't want to go on this journey, we better turn back now. Professor Oak will find me a new partner."

The fire type said, his back strained. His whole body was tense. Julia hadn't even realized it, in what kind of danger she had invited on herself by going on her own. But back at her village there was no such a problem. Before she had become a trainer, she could walk about freely.

"I... I am sorry, Charmander. I didn't realize what kind of danger I was in, I will strive to do better in the future. So.. please, be my partner."

Julia pleaded from her stern partner, who finally looked at her over his shoulder.

"This is the one, final warning. Next time you do something this stupid, it's over."

Charmander said, but there was something in his smooth voice. Beneath all that anger and harshness. A soft, concerned tone, buried beneath everything else. But Julia was able to spot it.

It made her smile, she walked over to Charmander. And placed the Band aid on his cheek without saying anything. Making the Fire type huff, but he allowed her to do it.

"Let's go while we still have day light."

Charmander said, leading the way. But every so often, he would look over his shoulder. To make sure that Julia was following him.