Kisses: A series of Advanceshipping minishots featuring Ash, May, and kisses.

First Kiss
By S. Muffin

(AU. Satoshi/Ash is 4 and Haruka/May is 3)

Translations:

Kaa-chan: Mom
yukata: a simple kimono worn during Summer
obi: the large belt that goes around a kimono.
Oi: Hey

Haruka looked at her surroundings with wonder sparkling in her ocean-blue eyes. The air was thick with the smell of various delicious foods and the sounds of children laughing and 'grown-ups' talking echoed in her ears. There were so many lights and paper lanterns hanging from various wires along the street, which was filled with people who came to partake in the Summer Festival. Truthfully, it was a bit overwhelming for the young girl, who was tightly holding onto her mother's hand.

"Haruka-chan," her mother, Mitsuko, said softly, kneeling down so they were at eye-level with one another. "Mama has to find Papa. Stay right here by this stand and wait for me, okay?"

Fear flooded into her eyes. The last thing she wanted was to be left alone, especially with so many strangers around her.

Mitsuko gave her a reassuring smile. "There's nothing to be afraid of, Haruka-chan. See all the children playing games?" She looked at the stand beside them where a group of kids were trying to catch koi fish. "Maybe they'll ask you to play."

Though she was still hesitant, Haruka nodded. "Okay."

Mitsuko kissed her daughter's cheek, stood up, and then disappeared into the sea of people.

Whimpering quietly, Haruka turned around and lowered her gaze the ground, hoping that her mother wouldn't be gone long. She was too shy to stay by herself.

"Kaa-chan! I wanna play that game!"

Haruka lifted her head, turning her face in the direction that the voice came from. A young boy with raven hair dressed in a dark blue yukata eagerly tugged on his mother's hand, pulling her toward the fishing game.

His mother laughed. "All right, Satoshi. Here." She pulled a small change purse from her obi and handed the young boy some change. "Run along and play, now. I'm going to find some grown-ups to talk to."

He grinned. "Sankyuu, Kaa-chan!"

Haruka watched the boy named Satoshi as he hurriedly paid the old man running the stand and then went to catch the small koi fish. Her eyes widened in surprise when he caught one on his first try.

"Yeah! I got one!" he cheered.

The old man smiled and handed Satoshi his prize: the small fish he caught in a plastic bag and a large, delicious lollypop.

The candy was too big to fit in his mouth, but he somehow managed to stick it in halfway. Haruka continued to look at him in amazement.

Suddenly, he looked up and caught her staring, a curious expression on his face. Haruka blushed and dropped her gaze to the ground again, nervously fumbling with the sleeves of her yellow yukata.

"Oi."

Gasping, Haruka's head shot up and she came face-to-face with Satoshi. "Y-yes?"

He didn't reply, but he continued to stare at her curiously. Haruka averted her eyes, incredible shyness overcoming her.

"What's your name?" he finally asked, taking the lollypop out of his mouth.

"H-Haruka," she said softly, glancing at him once more.

"Haruka-chan, hah?" Satoshi grinned at her. "You're cute."

Her blush deepened, coloring her cheeks a brilliant shade of red. "Eh?"

"Here!" He held out his lollypop in front of her face. "You can have it."

"R-really?"

"Yep!"

Smiling, Haruka hesitantly took the lollypop from his hand. "Thank you," she said, putting the candy to her lips and tasting it with the tip of her tongue.

"Come on, let's go catch some more fish!" Satoshi suggested, taking her hand into his. "I'll show you how."

Haruka nodded, happily sucking on her lollypop, and allowed Satoshi to lead her to the game.

You guys get the kiss part, right? (Satoshi sucks on lollypop, then Haruka sucks lollypop...get it?)