Music Masters: CD One

RETURN OF THE SPACE COWBOY: PART FIVE

Right now in this very span of time, everything was not good and brown.

A sunshine smile was the last thing on Michael Kay's face as he stood by his uncle, who remained in agony, with only ten feet between him and the seemingly bloodthirsty Nagataki siblings.

As Rob struggled to regain control of his bodily functions, Michael threw out the only distraction he could think of.

"What the hell is wrong with you people? He's minding his own business, and you guys just jump him like that? What did Rob ever do to you?" Michael declared, of course trying his best to believe his own words in order to make it all the more genuine.

Arashi scoffed in response. With this fight now clearly in the palm of their hands, and Nami ready at a moment's notice, he doubted this boy would be much of a threat.

"Then you do not know him as well as you think. Did you know he is wanted by Zero Beat? Did you also know that he is wanted in over eight different countries?"

Michael didn't say a word in response to that, instead looking back at his uncle. Rob's chest was still heaving, but his body seemed to finally relax from the previous spasms.

Slowly, Rob's weight fell back, until he was leaning against one of the larger racks as his lungs rasped for air.

There was still a world's worth of information that Michael still didn't know about when it came to his uncle.

For now though, that was unimportant.

Even though he couldn't see the look in his eyes under his song effect-borne helmet, Michael could practically feel Arashi's killing intent in the air.

Arashi took one step forward, Ultrasoul still active. Michael immediately went in front of his uncle, arms out in a protective stance. Michael winced slightly, now feeling warm blood dripping down from his right forearm where one of Nami's killer arrows had hit home.

"I don't care what you say. You're not getting anywhere near him." Michael stated in his most courageous tone of voice.

This time, Arashi didn't react. He simply surveyed the situation, waiting to answer to the first move, if any.

But next to him, his sister simply chuckled under her breath.

Comebacks were such an alien concept to her, given how many people she'd demolished again and again in her precious rhythm games.

Nami could feel that wonderful rush of victory again, like some energizing electricity that washed over her.

Through all of this, Michael's headphones remained in his ears, though Canned Heat was no longer active.

While Arashi debated his next course of action, and Rob continued to labor in his breathing, Michael knew he would have be quick about this next move for it to have even a chance at success.

Unfortunately, Nami seemed be reading his mind.

"Be smart about this, Afro-kun. Perhaps if you walk away, we don't tell Zero Beat that you were even here. Don't try to be the hero." she suggested, though Michael couldn't tell if she really meant her words.

"Not an option." Arashi interjected, much to his sister's surprise. "Unfortunately for you, you're not coming back alive. Zero Beat was very specific on what they wanted for you."

Slowly but surely, Michael's left arm was lowering even as he kept his arms wide. With Arashi's gaze focused on Rob, and Nami busy glowering in their victory, it would be in these next few seconds that Michael Kay would have his chance.