By: MataruDoukotsu

Taming the Beast

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Riddick universe, no matter how sad it is. One thing is for sure, Riddick is hot. The one man who can pull off buff and bald is Vin Diesel and the character he plays in this series.

Now on to the story.

He knew it would be hard, but it didn't mean that he couldn't do it. The fact was, he had to do it; for his safety…for her safety. It was the only way, and he couldn't let her live a life like his if it was by his own free will.

"What is that planet?" the calm voice of Imam asked as he pointed to a planet on the nav screen.

"Nothing, Holy man, nothing." He growled, hoping the dark skinned man standing at his shoulder got the silent message. Riddick would deal with the problem once they arrived to it. Quickly he set a course for New Mecca, and set the small elegant skiff they stole from the Merc ship into autopilot. Kicking back his boot clad feet on the console, he listened as Imam shuffled to the back of the skiff and continued his prayers. Pulling his goggles up on his forehead, he rubbed his shaved head before putting his large hands behind his neck.

The sound of the copilot's seat creaking alerted him that someone was in it; and since the holy man was still praying, then it could only be one other person.

"How long will it take us to get to New Mecca?" her voice was just above a whisper, as if she were afraid to speak too loud, but it still carried a bold note to it.

Shifting his mercury gaze to the slip of a girl, he answered her, "'Bout a month, without any stops. Then of course we're not going to go straight through. Fresh air is gonna be needed, and some new clothes." He eyed her baggy cargos and shirt, and her cropped boy cut red-brown hair. If he wouldn't have been able to smell her, he would've actually thought she was a boy.

"So…how long?" she asked again, not clear on how much time she would have in his presence on the skiff. But then, he would stay with her on New Mecca, right? Or he would take her with him if he decided that civilization was too much?

"Depends, maybe two months, maybe three." Suddenly he smirked as he looked at her.

"What?" she questioned, unable to see what he would find so amusing. Was there something on her face? Or maybe between her teeth? She hoped to god, any god-even Imam's god-, that she didn't have a pimple sprouting somewhere noticeable or something. That would definitely suck, because so far she'd been lucky to have such a clear face.

"You just might want to be careful when you go out into the public, Jack." he answered. Relief was showing on her face but then he saw the question of 'why' coming, "You just might get jumped by a gang of girls, 'cause I'm sure you'd be pretty damn cute to those in your age group." He watched as a look of pure disgust took over her face, but then he knew it was going to happen. Though she was tall and a bit lanky, he knew that she had a pretty good build, especially if she trained a bit.

"You're disgusting, Riddick. But, if it does happen, I'm runnin' past ya, that way they'd change their minds to you." She retorted, and snickered a bit. "But I seriously doubt that it would happen. I'm kinda lanky for a boy."

He had to admit, she had a back up plan in case it happened. Riddick was no fool. He knew that everywhere he went almost the entire female population looked him over with hungry eyes. Though to some men, it would sound great, to Riddick it just showed him how stupid and one track-minded females where when it came to their counter parts. Sometimes, it just revolted him. "If you say so, Jack. But if I were you, I'd still watch my back."

"Keh," she rolled her eyes. Silence reigned before she asked another question. "Riddick? Could you, you know, train me how to fight?"

Damn, what was wrong with this kid? She always has a question flying down from those baggy sleeves of hers. He opened his eyes; quicksilver on green. "You wanna learn how to fight or do you wanna learn how to kill? 'Cause I can teach ya both. It'll be rough, and I won't be merciless, kid."

"Both would be radical." She answered with a smirk identical to the one he had expressed earlier. "Definitely would help me against any guys who think I took their girl, which of course I would not've."

"Of course you wouldn't have." Riddick grinned and got up. "Tomorrow, Jack, we'll start. But until then, we'll nab some sleep." He said, noticing Imam sleeping in one of the bedrooms. He heard the girl scramble out of the chair and into the bedroom that was left to them, and claim the spot on the bed closest to the wall, just as she had when they were in the last skiff.

Suppressing a yawn, the convict removed his boots and placed them next to Jack's smaller ones, took off his tank and draped it on them before settling down next to the kid; back to back.

A/N: So, how is it? Please reviews and flames are expected.

More to come. Yeah…okay…?