Yes, this is a new side story. I originally dabbled this up while writing Purikura but it didn't fit the aesthetic of that series so I decided to publish as it own story. I don't really have an idea on where this will go and how it fits but I will likely try to continue to write more chapters as a writing exercise.

The idea is that this takes place during the college/university years. Maybe before the last episode during the three years or after. I also used some references from the comic book since it did expand more on where most of the characters were going at the end.

Taboo

Chapter One

The library was usually quiet on nights like this. But when the light rain turned in to a downpour that's when most of the students studying in the library started to complain. And eventually leave to try their luck against the weather.

Kuwabara was fortunate enough to go home early after receiving a text from his sister. Probably just more distractions at home with their home-stay.

I'm surprised his grades haven't dropped a bit. Kaitou was working hard on this assignment. They all shared the same Bio-chemistry class over at Todai University. It was rough and challenging to say the least. It was surprising that someone like Kuwabara was capable, but he couldn't really underestimate hi anymore these days.

Now it was just him and the female. Shuuichi was too busy that night to join in the study session. She was quiet for once. Which is sometimes quite unusual and suspicious. He hated to admit but she seemed to have grown on him in the sense that she was less annoying to him. Or maybe he had just grown accustomed to her antics.

"Damn...it's raining." He heard her make a quick remark as he looked up. It had been raining hard for an hour. It seemed she was too engrossed in her studies to notice. She added a sigh."I forgot an umbrella too."

"I have one." He replied. He didn't know why he spoke up or why he was feeling chivalrous towards her. Perhaps it because she was a woman and he felt the obligation. Just the way his family had brought him up to be.

But then again, in the back of his mind he was reminded that she wasn't really human. It was not a normal response trigger, but a fact that was always nested in the back of his mind. She was still a demon.

It was something he couldn't forget after the tunnel business and watching Shuuichi's cruel defeat of a child that lead to a murder. His classmates were definitely not human and he wasn't sure on how to feel about that anymore. But the barrier between the two worlds were gone and it was better not to distant the union anymore.

Plus they were friends and teammates still. And it meant a lot to Kaitou. Over all, it didn't really change anything.

"Let's go. It's pretty late anyways." He waited for her to pack her things up and then proceeded downstairs.

He handed her his umbrella. "Here." And was about to step out in the pouring rain when she grabbed him.

"You don't have one?"

"No. I'm lending that one to you." He tried to brush her off but she was persistent.

"I don't mind if we share."

He froze not believing what he heard. Some human sentimental trait he was not expecting from her. She was already opening the umbrella up placing it over both of them.

It wasn't like it was a very big umbrella but she was tiny enough that it didn't become a problem. It was just the awkwardness of being so close to another being of the opposite sex.

"Good thing we live in the same neighborhood still."

"Yeah, I know." A lot of memories back from high school flooded his mind. Especially when they use to study at one another's house quite a lot. Always just the three of them. Sometimes he hung out with Shuuichi alone, but rarely was he alone with Momo.

The silence that followed accompanied by the soft sound of the rain made the situation feel longer then it should. Kaitou was starting to count the seconds because the minutes were too long.

Though it was making him think things he didn't want to think about.

Maybe I should invite her in? Maybe she'll invite me in to her house first? Should I ask her if she's hungry? Maybe...Arrrggggh! I'm being crazy. It's not like anything would happen between us. She is Shuuichi's girlfriend after all.

"You feel like grabbing something to eat?" He froze when he heard her spoke. "I might know this ramen place. The guy that runs its keeps it open pretty late. Even when it's a downpour."

"By any chance I know this guy?" He vaguely remember a certain ex-spirit detective coming back from a long sabbatical in Demon World and opening a ramen stand.

"Haha, probably."

That laugh...he thought to himself. He allowed her to guide for a moment losing his way. Something he was not used to. But it was when she readjusted the umbrella between them, when she placed her hand near his, almost touching...

I've never been one with a loss of words, but when I do I freeze. My mind draws a blank and my mouth gets dry. I lose all confidence in myself. I've never feel so powerless.

"Oh sorry..." her hand grazed his but before she could say anything else she froze. She recognized this feeling. The feeling of a psychic's territory.

This is Kaitou's territory, no doubt. But why? She refused to say anything not knowing what limitations were placed in his territory. For all she knew, any sound was taboo.

Stopping in her tracks she looked over at Kaitou. He seemed paralyzed by fear of some sort. She tried to make eye contact with him but he seemed nervous. She tried to shake him but he still didn't say anything, it seemed to make it worse instead.

If it wasn't for the group of some chitchatting people coming from the other direction she would not even bother anymore with the situation.

Great...she made a soft sigh without speaking a word. She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him underneath a nearby store doorway.

What is she doing? He felt motionless as she dragged him over to the side and pushed him against the wall of the nearest building. They have both dropped the umbrella and it was laying on the ground collecting water.

They stared in to each others eyes. His were full of fear while hers were calm and too collective. She pushed her lips against his as she tugged on his shirt collar pulling him in.

Is this for real? Why is this happening to me? And this is my first fucking kiss! And it's to Shuuichi's crazy girlfriend! But why...am I not doing anything about it? In his mind, Kaitou hated to admit it but a part of him liked it. A part of him wondered what it would be like and now that he was faced with something he could only dream of, his mind was at a stand still.

But his body was actually reacting of its own accord. He closed his arms around her and pulled her in tightly. He felt her take an intake of air in surprise by his reaction. She felt his hand in her hair holding her closer as his kissed her back.

By then his territory was already broken. And the by-passers were gone with their souls still intact. She pulled away and looked him in the eye.

"I-I'm sorry," he said closing his eyes. He was ashamed of himself.

"No...um, I'm the one that's sorry." The reality of what she had just done had sunk in. There must have been a better way to have deal with this.

"It's not your fault anyways. Though honestly I doubt they would have broken the taboo."

"What was it?"

It was in his head. The taboo word. All he had to do was think about it, the word he wanted to make taboo and it will happen. Though sometimes his emotions did get the best of him. And sometimes he would accidentally make words taboo without thinking about it.

But this time it was very clear what it was, or who it was that made him make it taboo. And it was standing right in front of him.

"Momo."

"What, Kaitou?"

"You were taboo."

My name was taboo...She thought about it till it became clear in her head what he meant.

"Why, Kaitou?" She said his name again. Her eyes buried daggers at him this time. He didn't want to answer her. Not now.

She grabbed his shirt collar and shook him. "Tell me, Yuu!" She informally threw his first name out. He flinched. He wasn't ready to hear her just throw his first name out there so casually.

They have been friends for so long now, it would seem it would be about time he would not mind. After all, he has been on a first name bases with her all this time.

"Momo, I..." he stopped. I can't do this. I shouldn't. "I like you."

Silence. She doesn't look stunned. In fact, she was calm.

Why? And then he remembered. She was likely used to this. She was after all not entirely human and she was older then him by who knows how many years under that skin.

"I'm sorry, Kaitou." Back to being formal. Though she didn't sound that sorry. She gave him a smile. He instantly knew what it meant for her to smile so apologetic. "I have to go home now." She quickly stumbled off in to the rain. Obviously not caring if she had an umbrella or not.

He wanted to walk the rest of the way home with her but he knew it must have been awkward by know to even suggest that. So instead he picked up him umbrella off the ground and walked the rest of the way by himself, wondering if he might even see her tomorrow.

They did share a few classes together but the next one was not till the day after tomorrow. Unless he caught her in the library again he wasn't sure. And even more, he would have to face Shuuichi by then too.

She wouldn't say anything to him. It was a mistake. All just a bad situation. Anyways he's smart enough to understand what went on. Maybe in her head at least.

Thought it did seem unnecessary. She could have hit him or smack him but he supposed that she was probably against violence. Especially against a non-fighter.

His thoughts did make him think just a little bit more. Maybe Shuuichi was able to figure out the feelings he had for Momo before he even realized them himself. He never really understood why he was ever able to tolerate her for this long. It was just something he got accustomed to over time but he was slowly starting to realize as he got older, his feelings and tolerance towards her matured.

No, I'm just going to shake this feeling and not bring it up. Not unless she wants to...

Continue?