Chapter 3: Welcome to the family

On his way back home Taichi didn't run as he did on the way to Professor Oak's house. Instead, he walked at a normal speed, while his little yellowish reptile companion walked beside him. On their way, Taichi told Charmander a little bit about him and his family and Charmander listened attentively.

"And then there is my little sister, Hikari. She is already looking forward to meeting you. She is a really kind person, but gets sick very easily" Taichi told Charmander with a worried look on his face. Charmander made some noises that sounded like he could understand how Taichi was feeling and wanted to cheer him up. Taichi smiled and thanked his partner. They talked a little more while continuing their walk. Well, actually it was Taichi who did the talking since Pokémon couldn't speak, but Taichi still had the feeling that he talked with Charmander, rather than to him. Charmander often nodded, looked interested, or made noises like he was replying to the young boy.

"Look, that's my house. That's where I live" Taichi told Charmander as they finally arrived at his home. Charmander looked surprised at the house. A few steps later they were in front of the door and Taichi rang the doorbell that said 'Yagami'. It didn't take his mother Yuuko long before she opened the door. "Oh a Charmander!" she said as she saw her son's new partner and crouched down to greet the Pokémon.

"Welcome to the family!"

Charmander looked a bit unsure at the woman and then with a questioning face at Taichi, who then told him that this woman was his mother. That seemed to ease Charmander and he looked happy again, which also made Taichi and his mother smile.

Just like Taichi had, Yuuko also mentioned that this Charmander looked a bit different since it was more yellowish than orange and had green eyes instead of blue ones.

Taichi told his mother what Professor Oak had told him, that this was a very rare variant that seemed to impress his mother. That made Taichi a little proud and Charmander looked like he was proud as well. On this occasionTaichi also gave his mother the regards from Professor Oak, that he had almost forgotten in all the excitement.

"Now I have to introduce you to my sister Hikari," Taichi said to Charmander and added "Mom, is she?" looking at his mother.

Before he finished his sentence Yuuko shook her head.

" She is asleep again and I don't want to wake her up again. Her fever has gone up since yesterday."

Taichi looked down. He really had wanted to introduce Charmander to Hikari and of course, he was really worried about his little sister. He cared deeply for her and it pained him to hear that she was in such a bad state.

Charmander reached to Taichi's hand as if he wanted to comfort him and Taichi took Charmander's little hand.

"Don't worry. I'm sure she will be fine again" Yuuko tried to cheer her son up as well.

As Charmander's stomach started to growl it eased the mood and Taichi and his mother laughed.

"You seem to be very hungry," Yuuko said to Charmander. "Come in, I'll make you something to eat."

Taichi told his mother that she didn't have to and they could eat something on the way when they started their Pokémon journey, but Yuuko insisted and so Taichi and Charmander went inside.

Taichi sat down at the kitchen table but told his mother that he was fine and didn't need anything to eat right now.

His mother didn't quite believe him, since she was sure he hadn't eaten anything before he left, but she didn't say anything and just gave some food to Charmander.

The Pokémon looked very happy and began to gobble down the food.

"He seems to appreciate my food," Yuuko said happily.

"But shouldn't you give him Pokémon food, I mean ..." Taichi objected.

"I don't think it's a problem if Pokémon eat human food," his mother replied.

Taichi looked unsure. "Well ..."

Before he could say anything else the door to the kitchen opened.

"Hikari!" Taichi said happily as he saw his sister and jumped up from the chair.

"I'm glad that you are awake. Are you feeling better already?" he asked as he went to her.

But his mother rushed past him and kneeled in front of her daughter.

"Hikari, you shouldn't be up."

She checked her temperature with her hand.

"You are still hot. Come, go back to bed. You need to rest" she told her daughter.

Hikari started coughing again and said "But I wanted to see Taichi's new Pokémon" in a very weak voice.

"Hikari ..." It meant a lot to Taichi that Hikari had gotten up to see his new partner despite being so sick, but he was also worried because his sister always cared more about others than about herself.

Hikari looked at Charmander.

"Hello. Welcome to our family" she told the little fire Pokémon in a weak but soft voice and went towards him in slow and tiny steps and then patted the little dino on the head.

Charmander looked happy. He seemed to like the kind and cute little girl immediately.

Taichi was glad that his family and his new partner got along so well.

"I knew you would take Charmander," Hikari told her older brother with a smile on her face.

"How did you know?" Taichi wanted to know.

"Well, of course, that's because he looks like -"

Hikari didn't get to finish her sentence as had a severe coughing attack and fell on her knees. Her mother caught her in her arms before she fell on the floor.

"Hikari" Taichi looked really worried and Charmander looked worried as well.

Yuuko took her daughter in her arms and carried her.

"I will bring her back to bed," she said to Taichi and Charmander.

"Oniichan ... call when you arrive at the Pokémon Center and tell me about your adventure" Hikari still managed to say before her strength left her.

"I will. I promise" Taichi promised his sister before their mother brought Hikari back to bed.

When she came back and told Taichi that Hikari was sleeping again Taichi looked relieved.

If she was sleeping that was good. Hopefully, she would get better soon.

He then told his mother goodbye and he and Charmander went outside again.

Their adventure could now finally begin.

At that time little did Taichi know that he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to his sister.

What will happen from here on?

Be excited to find out ... as the adventure begins.