Author's note: Riddick still does not share my bed therefore I do not own him. I know it's sad isn't it? I also do not own the songs that will appear.

I'm very good at taking constructive criticism and compliments so please review. I'd also like to thank those of you who have already reviewed. It always makes a writer feel great knowing that their stories are well liked.

Chapter 2: Beauty through the Eyes of a Predator

A guy like you should wear a warning

It's dangerous

I'm falling

You're dangerous

I'm loving it

"Feeding time!" The speakers echoed through the rock hell. Within seconds the prisoners were on the run. "Here they come!" The guards struggled to hold the hellhounds back for just a second longer before letting them begin their hunt.

Riddick laughed at the sight of murders, rapist, and the general scum of a triple-max running scared. As always his movements were confident as he strode through the fleeing crowd. He quickly assessed the area before finding a cell that he would occupy during the guards playtime. Just as he moved under the waterfall he caught sight of Kyra pushing her way toward the danger. Interesting, kid, real interesting.

Move! Kyra mentally screamed at the crowd. These were her favorite playtimes, a time to test her animal, to give it some release. She pushed the scared convicts out of the way, stopping when she spotted one of the hellhounds. Her emerald eyes stared right into the animal's mercury pools. There was no smell of fear around her, even as its' gray skin shook with anger. Her feline grace allowed her to maneuver around the hound's powerful body and over the rail.

Her hands burned as the rope slid through her palms. Using the momentum from the jump, she quickly made it over the lower levels rail. She stopped for a moment and let the adrenaline course through her veins before she tried to calm her beast. With all her senses open Kyra quickly picked up his scent and followed it to the end. A waterfall formed where one of the pipes had burst, Trying to mask your scent Big Evil? Kyra thought. The cool water felt great as she stepped through the downpour into the cell.

A slight smile played across her lips as she watched Riddick. Both animals stirred from their "conversation" as her scent filled the cell. Both pairs of eyes settled on her as she walked towards the hound. The beast rose from its position at Riddick's feet and moved toward her, meeting her halfway. Her slender hand smoothed the hard flesh between his ears back, running her hand down the back of its neck and coming back around to rest under the chin. The big dog whimpered with pleasure at the show of affection and nuzzled its' head into her thigh. Kyra caught the questioning look in Riddick's eyes.

"He's got beautiful eyes," She wasn't sure if he would catch the full meaning of her statement, "Always was a sucker for the dangerous type too."

We have to escape and I will go anywhere

If you just lead the way

Escape to a place where we'll be together

Together everyday

We have to escape

"When it happens it'll happen fast." Riddick's voice was calm, calculating. Plans had already begun to swirl around his head. "Stay on my leg when I cut fence or stay here for the rest of your unnatural life."

"Nobody outs this place," Guv spoke as calmly has the stranger had, no use getting his hopes up. "Nobody."

He was gone before any questions could be asked. In its long history, no one escaped hell; they only went to another level of it.

"He ain't 'nobody'," Her velvety voice floated down. The rock cooled her back as she slipped into a memory of him.

It would only be seconds before her death. The bone structure splintered with every hit from the creature intent on making her its dinner. "Riddick!" Her jade eyes held so much fear and something else. Something his aged gaze hadn't seen in years, trust. Without thinking about it he dropped the cells and rushed the creature. The struggle lasted almost moments but for her it was a lifetime. She had no doubts in her mind that he would walk away victorious, how could you be a hero and lose? The final snap of the creature's neck told her that it was over. His blood lust poured from his eyes until his gaze rested on her, "Did not know who he was fucking with." Her savior whispered before turning to back to the cells, he missed the slight smile that played on her lips.

The sound of gunfire ricocheted through the prison. The few that had been told gathered near Riddick. He watched intently upon the blood fest that was occurring no more than thirty feet above his shaved head. He watched and waited. His waiting paid off as Toombs slid down the rope that only a day before Riddick himself had been lowered into the pit with. He pulled himself back as far as his large frame would allow before judging the distance from the edge and the merc. He signaled to Kyra to move into place with the others before his animal let out a growl. Using his considerable weight as momentum he leapt toward the rope and held onto Toombs. "Shoulda taken the money Toombs," He growled out before climbing up the other man, making sure to step on his head just to add the extra insult.

The control room was completely destroyed. Blood and bodies lay everywhere. Riddick quickly counted the dead, with Toombs below him all the Mercs were accounted for. Six guards missing. He hit the switch for the gates before moving to the freight sled platform.

If it was anyone else, she could have killed him right there the way she was able to move completely silent. "We'll have to go topside," he informed her before she could ask. The growl that escaped her throat caught his attention.

"Well it's been fun Toombs," the chain rattled as Kyra wrapped it around the cage door and locked it. Quickly she strode to Fives' cage and threw the door open, crouching in front of the hyena like animal. Her sea green eyes locked with his, while she whispered soothing nothings. "I'm not leaving him here, Riddick." Even after five years, she could catch his scent the moment he got within range.

"Don't think the 'victs are gonna like that," His goggles hid the hint of happiness in his eyes. Since their bonding in the cell, Riddick had planned to free him anyway. "Guess I'll always bring home strays."

Using her knees to push herself up, Kyra sauntered past putting just enough extra sway into her hips, "You never brought home strays with me around." If she wasn't mistaken she could smell the hint of arousal.

"It's moving in the right direction." The Guv's eyes darted back and forth over the terrain, calculating the odds in his head. Eighteen years of his life was gone because of this hell hole, and he wasn't about to spend another eighteen on this planet. "We could make it. Stay behind the night, ahead of the sun."

After surveying the terrain one last time, Riddick turned and leaned against the controls. Confidence radiated off his body, "There's going to be one speed. Mine. If you can't keep up don't step up, you'll just die."

Kyra watched as he moved through the muttering crowd. She couldn't help but think of T2, there they had fought so desperately to stay out of the night. "Light on my back, not in my eyes." She whispered as they began their flight.

The three animals led the convicts through the treacherous terrain of Crematoria. Watching Kyra and Riddick move was like watching a panther and tigress. Her feline grace and speed matched his every move. As they ran and fought, they almost seemed to meld together. They approached the last leg of their endeavor.

"I hate rock walls." Kyra growled out as she began to climb with Fives flanking her right side. You have to push, Kyra! Don't let him see any weakness.

Riddick could feel the clock tick away as he neared the top. He glanced over his broad shoulder to see Kyra not far behind but far enough. He couldn't help but admire her strength. He could smell the fatigue on her, it radiated from every muscle in her body but still she pushed. One speed, Jack. No, Kyra now. We'll deal with the names later. He thought as he pulled himself over the ledge. Riddick surveyed the situation once more; sweat glistened off him as the temperature differential moved dangerously close.

"Kyra"

"Kyra!" His voice had an urgency that she couldn't ignore.

"What!" She yelled back through grit teeth.

"Get that ass MOVING!" His drill sergeant voice took over as he lowered his goggles back over his eyes.

Kyra couldn't help but stop to look over her shoulder. FUCK! MOVE IT KYRA! She screamed at herself. Pushing her arms to move faster, she glanced around and noticed Fives looking down at her. Suddenly, she realized that he had only kept his pace so she wouldn't be far behind. Using the last of her arm strength, Kyra pushed herself up to the hound and locked her arms around his neck. Sweat rolled off her body as the sun began to beat down on them. Her pale eyes were too sensitive to keep track of how far from the top they were. Even without climbing the rest herself, her body screamed at her.

Finally, a large arm reached down and pulled her over the top. He hugged her to his body as they hide behind the lava structure as the temperature differential's heat blasted past him. Even through the dirt and grime and sweat and oil that coated her thick locks, Riddick could become lost in her scent. Whoa, where the hell did that come from. He thought.

"Let's MOVE," He yelled, releasing her from the embrace.

Kyra rolled her eyes, as she pushed herself once again to begin running. Quickly but gently she ran her palm over Fives head, silently thanking him for her life.

"There it is." Guv's gruff British accent was laced with joy. The sight of the hanger was almost enough to make him run straight for it.

"Listen," Riddick advised grabbing Guv's leg before he walked right into his death. Even to the most human of ears, they could all hear the guards opening the hanger door. "Five guards."

"Two convicts and three animals." Her voice was painfully raspy from the inhalation of ash.

"Two convicts, three animals," Riddick repeated back, nodding his head. "I think I like those odds."

Exhaustion ran from the bloodlust that rose in Kyra and Riddick's bodies. Sniper and Guv took positions so that they could cover with gun fire while the animals cleared the path. To them it was a game to be played, who could kill with more finesse. Before the sun swallowed the hanger, one convict and five guards were dead.

Sun turning 'round with graceful motion

We're setting off with soft explosion

Bound for a star with fiery oceans

It's so very lonely, you're a hundred light years from home

Freezing red deserts turn to dark

Energy here in every part

"Where are we going?" As graceful as Kyra could be, exhaustion forced her to plop into the co-pilot chair. She stared blankly for a moment at the stars; a smile grew on her lips.

"Something interesting out there?" The low rumble of his voice drew her mind back into the skiff.

"Just never thought I'd see them again," Her smile faded when a yawn escaped her lips. Never thought I'd see you again. She thought. "So?"

"So what, kid?" His voice stayed a low rumble.

"Where are we going?" Kyra rolled her eyes exasperated with his continued mention of kid when he spoke to her.

He looked out over the stars before turning toward her. "I was thinkin' we could go home." He watched her eyes go wide, and the faint scent of abandonment began to build around her before adding his final thought. "For just a few days, that is."

"We don't have a home, Riddick." The fear of being left behind again began to knot in her stomach.

"We have Imam, Kii…Kyra." He could smell her fear begin to subside.

"Ok, let's go home," Her voice was barely above a whisper, as her eyelids drooped. She exhaled the words as she fell asleep, "Let's go home to Imam."