A/N: ^_^ Thanks for the reviews =D FumetsuKaji, I'm not sure if I'll have Naruto ever regain his jutsu... it seems like too much of an advantage over the occupants of this universe. :P or maybe I'm too lazy to think of all the things he could do with his jutsu if he did have them... well that could change. I'm undecided as of right now.

Disclaimer: I do not own either Naruto or The Chronicles of Riddick. No profit is being made from this fic.

Warnings: Sexual tension, Cussing

There are two bounty offices still in business in New Mecca. Naruto and Kale drop in occasionally to skim the bounty board. They're not looking for a job, they're just curious. Besides, there are more interesting things to participate in on planet. Especially for Kale.

Kale is infatuated. And this is funny because Naruto had never taken Kale for the sort to like other men. And the guy in question is 5'11, thin as in no muscle at all, he's a book clerk. And Kale drags Naruto to that library twice a week so that he can talk to the soft spoken man that towers over them both. Naruto personally thinks it's fucking hilarious. And a little annoying.

Ziza has grown to Naruto's waist. She's five years old now, and reminds him of this every other day.

It was by chance that day, a simple curious notion, that Naruto dropped by an official alliance bounty office to see what convicts were on the bounty board. He walked into the dimly lit office absently skimming the board, his eyes read over a name that had him double taking. Then Naruto stood in front of the sheet for about ten minutes, eyes alternating between widening and narrowing.

"..the fuck?"

In the House of Abu Al Walid

Laijjun was pacing their bedroom floor in front of Imam. Her shoulders were tense in the light linen robes she wore. Gold across her shoulders and chest, a dark orange fell beyond her waist, she was like a muted flame, her movements were whispers of skin in cloth, the only sound in the room. She stopped quite suddenly in front of her husband, her hand clenched into a fist against her mouth.

"This is not the answer. I can not believe you would risk your life, your family's life, on a mystic's prophecy! Imam! I don't want that man here!" her voice grew in anger and fear, she spun on her heel to face Imam, eyes wide and angry.

"Calm, peace, my love, Aereon is an elemental, one of the elder races, not a mystic. I trust her words, and if what I knew of Riddick is still true, this may be our only hope." Imam rose from his seat on their bed, his own eyes somber with worry, his smooth voice rough with stress.

"That kind of man-!" Laijjun's voice rose in pitch, Imam grasped her shoulders and bent down to look her in the eyes.

"Yes, Laijjun, that kind of man! If all goes well, you will not even need to see him. Naruto will be here as well, you needn't fear." His eyes were steady in his belief that things would work out. Laijjun was not the optimist her husband was. She bit her lower lip and looked away from Imam's gaze.

"Naruto... there is that. He is just barely a man, and you would place this responsibility upon his shoulders, to look out for me and Ziza, this is like asking him to replace you! This is not his burden and you should not have made this decision without me!" Laijjuns voice pitched in anger.

Imam's grip tightened, not enough to cause pain. He shook Laijjun gently once.

"This is not just about us, just about our family, Laijjun, it has been confirmed!They are coming here! Woman, I have found no other solution to keep you safe, I am doing this for you yes, but I am also doing this for the greater good! If we, this planet, falls Laijjun-!" Laijjun broke away from her husband. She walked briskly out the door, pausing in the doorframe, she didn't look back at Imam.

"Do what you think is best, husband."

"Oi! Imaaa-m!" called Naruto as he tumbled through the front door, kicking it shut, his arms full of baskets and bags.

"Naruto!" a young voice called back from the stairs. Naruto glanced up and smiled broadly as a small dark skinned child clamored down the stairs, her head a mass of bushy frilly hair.

"Hullo Ziza, where's your mother?" Naruto spoke while Ziza's small hands flew up, fingers wordlessly reaching for the hat on his head. He bent down just enough to allow Ziza to pull it off and run soft skinned hands over his sensitive fox ears. Naruto's eyes slowly fogged over and his body relaxed, he almost lost his grip on the bags in his hands. His eyes closed in bliss, and an evil little grin stole over Ziza's childish face.

"Mooooom!" Ziza shrieked right into those ears. Naruto jerked back almost tripping over the hallway rug, his back slammed against the front door knocking the breath out of him, his eyes clenched shut as his ears rang miserably.

"Ouch! Fraakinguh-Naah-uun! ZIZA!" Naruto howled as a giggling Ziza scrambled loudly back up the stairs and ran to find a hiding spot.

Laijjun jogged into the hall and glanced around, her eyes searching dark corners and her limbs tense.

"Naruto! What happened, where's Ziza? What was all that noise?"

Naruto rubbed one of his ears against the door frame and shook his head again.

"Geeh, no-nothing just, argh, Ziza attempting to make me deaf. Look, I got most of what you wanted, there's a shortage of some of the off world stuff because the shipments are coming in really slow, mmm, but I managed to cut a deal with Gregoria on these. Bastard thought he could make me pay twice what they were worth." Naruto sounded a little harried, Laijjun's eyes softened in empathy and she took the bags from Naruto.

"Thank you Naruto. Let's bring these to the kitchen. I'll scold Ziza when she comes down to help."

They toted the groceries into the large bright kitchen. Naruto ducked out before Laijjun could force him to help her put them away and headed for Imam's study. He had questions that needed answering.

The study was darker than usual. Naruto blinked as his eyes adjusted instantly to the low light. Imam slouched in his comfortable cushioned chair and dark somber eyes slowly looked up from the islam text spread over his lap.

"Good evening Naruto." he mumbled, then lowered his eyes to the books on his lap.

Naruto blinked slowly, he appraised the man in the chair before stepping closer. His fox ears wide upon his head.

"Someone's posted a hefty bounty out for convict Richard B. Riddick. 1.5 million." Naruto's toneless voice gained him Imam's full attention.

"The bounty sheet said anonymous, it's been posted for well over a month. Which means anyone could have picked it up by now... Richard B. Riddick... he's worth a trip to crematoria." Naruto's blue eyes were sharp on Imams dusky black. He continued on with out waiting for a reaction from Imam.

"As a matter of fact, that seems like the ideal prison to drop him off at... of course, jack would be pissed if I brought in her idol... or maybe she'd be thrilled, taking into account Riddick's past experiences with these new world prisons..." Naruto was biting the words at the end, his lips trembled in the beginnings of a snarl, one glittering fang peeked from under his upper lip.

Imam's eyes narrowed in a tired glare.

"This is not about Jack. And I did not post the bounty. Where would I get that kind of money Naruto?"

In response Naruto sharply snapped his teeth together in his mouth and jerked his face towards the window.

"That witch... the one that I couldn't smell because she smelled like the air. She was here."

Imam softly sighed.

"How do you know this?" his voice was tinged with a careful amount of incredulity. Naruto's hackles raised and his voice stuttered in his throat. He didn't know whether to be furious or to feel humiliated, or to give in to the bitter sadness engulfing his heart. Naruto found his voice along with a sudden resolve and whirled on Imam, eyes blazing and glittering with frustration.

"I don't like it! I don't like you manipulating me behind my back! If you want me to do something, if you need me, then tell me! Don't go around making choices that will leave the ones you love, who love you with no other choice but to follow the plans you've already set! I don't like not knowing what's going on with you Imam! You think I'm a child but I've been through a lot! A whole lot! I know what I'm doing! Please Please trust me!"

Imam's eyes darkened with guilt and he laid aside the text on his lap to stand and place comforting warm hands on Naruto's shoulders. He looked down into the young face that reflected so many emotions at once, anger, sorrow, guilt, fear...

"Naruto-" Imam sighed and Naruto blinked up at him and scowled. His ears flattened into his fluffy blond hair and despite this he stared fiercely up at Imam. It posed a cute contradictory picture, though by now Imam was used to such a thing from the blond fox.

Imam scowled resolutely back down at him and firmly gripped the stiff shoulders in his palms.

"I trust you with my family's life. I do trust you Naruto." Imam blinked and hesitated, Naruto immediately switched tactics and pleaded with Imam by widening his eyes and pouting. Imam frowned, a little disconcerted and Naruto couldn't keep from snorting a quick laugh.

"This is serious Naruto." Imam scolded and Naruto nodded his head appeasingly.

"Yes it is, very." Naruto sobered as he spoke. Imam nodded as well as he came to a decision.

"I provided the information on the bounty sheet to the 'witch', her name is Aereon, and she is an elemental, one of the old races-"

"What does she want with Riddick?" Naruto cut Imam off impatiently. Imam fixed Naruto with a steely eyed gaze til Naruto's ears flicked back and he looked away, cheeks tinted slightly pink under the dark whisker marks.

"She brought to my attention, a prophecy that has to do with... I- believe- might be in reference to our convict friend, and I believe her when she says this may be a chance to save our world." As Imam spoke Naruto's ears flicked back and his eyebrows quirked up.

"Uhm... who exactly does she think Riddick is? Isn't he murderer?" Imam frowned and shook his head.

"You should meet the man before assuming these things about him. In any case, what else is there? This dark army has already conquered an entire system, Naruto, I can see no other options. I have to protect my family, and if I can set in motion events that will save worlds, I will. I did not mean to manipulate you, or force you into a decision..."

Naruto waved him off and plopped down in the familiar window seat. He leaned his head back against the wood and peered from the folds of the window curtains into the night sky.

"Falling stars... no, uh, comets... It's pretty Imam, come look."Naruto tilted his head and parted the curtains to get a better look.

Imam did not move. He swallowed and clenched his fingers into fists.

"This, is not a good sign. Perhaps you will meet Riddick soon Naruto."

Naruto immediately turned widening eyes on Imam.

"Eh?" he squeaked. Imam turned and spoke over his shoulder as he left the room.

"I'd appreciate if you slept over here for a while... it would make Laijjun feel more at ease." It was a request, Naruto heard the query in Imam's voice.

"Uh, yeah sure." Naruto muttered. Imam paused in the door way.

"Naruto,"

Naruto glanced at Imam warily.

"Thank you, my good friend."

Naruto felt his cheeks get hot and he quickly looked away from Imam's sincere eyes.

"Uh-huh. Yeah. Of course Imam. So, ah do you think dinner's ready?"

Imam smiled and turned his head to watch his daughter silently sneak toward him, she placed one chubby little finger against her lips.

"Why don't we go down and see, Naruto?" Imam replied as he walked past his daughter. She hid in the shadow of the doorway and tensed as she listened for Naruto's light footsteps.

Naruto hopped from the window seat and strode towards the door, his ears flicked toward the heartbeat pacing faster and faster as he got closer to the door frame.

Ziza prepared to jump onto Naruto as he passed through the door way but was surprised and shrieked when arms caught her midflight and swooped her up.

Naruto carried her downstairs, she dangled over one shoulder, laughing and giggling loudly.

Laijjun had already set the table and Naruto plunked Ziza down in front of her plate, next to her father, and slid himself into a chair. Laijjun walked in carrying a covered bowl, Naruto sniffed the air appreciatively and grinned.

They ate dinner in relative peace, Ziza occasionally pulling at Naruto's clothes to catch his attention away from her father while they talked. Imam planned on visiting the temple tomorrow, Naruto didn't have any immediate plans. He said he might visit Kale for a few hours.

They finished eating and Ziza helped her mother with the dishes while Naruto made a bed in the study. Ziza had Naruto's old room.

That night Naruto stared up at the comets steadily moving across the sky. He knew that the people of Helion prime were looking up at those with eyes full of fear. Naruto thought they were kind of pretty. He'd never seen such a thing before. He did not feel fear of the threat closing in on their world, he had confidence in his ability to keep his important people safe, this time, he would protect everyone.

Riddick, he remembers Jacks eyes growing absent when she talked of the man like he was a hero, she seemed particularly fascinated with how easy the man could kill a fellow human being. Naruto, did not find it very impressive. Anyone could kill. Killing was easy. Imam's take on the man was more detailed, he said Riddick was a tactician, he analyzed the situation and the players on the field, Naruto could respect that image more than Jack's biased memorys.

Naruto slowly swept a clawed hand through his hair, resting his fingers against his ears, he stroked them lightly. They twitched under his fingers and he let a deep rumbling purr vibrate his throat.

He fell asleep with his hands above his head, and in his dreams he revisited old memorys.

The sunlight fell around him in a warming pool, he stretched like a cat, hands reaching above him, back bowing, mouth open wide enough to see the gleaming sharp fangs. Ziza giggled from her father's cushioned seat. Naruto opened one cerulean eye and blinked lazily at the child peering down at him.

"Mother said to wake you." Ziza whispered. Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"You did no such thing." he whispered back. Ziza's eyes narrowed in a mirthful secretive way.

"You wake up when people stare at you." she said. Naruto rose up on his elbow and studied the little girl with a sleepy grin, inwardly contemplating her comment. Was he really that paranoid?

"Naruto! Ziza! Breakfast!" Laijjuns voice wafted up from downstairs. Naruto smiled jauntily at the little girl as she scrambled to beat him out of the door. It was a close tie.

Breakfast was rushed, Ziza had day school to attend, Imam was eager for fellowship and news from the temple, Laijjun had friends coming over later in the day. Naruto lazily stared down at his plate and stifled yawns. Whenever he woke up in a warm and comfortable setting it seemed his body was slow to rouse completely. A 'perk' of his demonic inheritance from kyuubi? Whatever. Naruto was too placid to bother pondering it.

Imam and Ziza were well out the door by the time Naruto bothered taking his plate to the sink. He then slunk back upstairs to find a comfortable warm spot in the sun to laze around in til he felt energetic enough to deal with anything.

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

The air from the window was rank and heavy with fear. Naruto woke up slowly. Ziza was home, he could hear her reciting the numerals she was supposed to memorize to her mother in the bedroom.

His body slowly tensed, he cursed lowly under his breath. Something was going on. He couldn't tell if Imam was home yet, the house was full of their individual scents fresh from this morning.

He slowly gathered himself to his feet. The slacks he wore cut off just above his knee. He pulled on a thin quarter sleeve hooded shirt then sauntered out the door to check on Laijjun and Ziza.

He knocks on the door frame of Ziza's room to get their attention. Both females look up at him.

"Is Imam home yet?" he asks rubbing one fist in his eye.

Laijjun stood from her seat and rubbed Ziza's head, her warm brown eyes focused on the window.

"No, not yet. Ziza finish your homework." Laijjun walked from the room leaving Ziza to pout and dig her pencil against the paper rebelliously.

Naruto couldn't shake the tenseness from his limbs. He felt twitchy and paced the hall from the study door to Ziza's door. His ears swiveled on his head, focusing on one point of interest after another.

He hears the shower start in Imam and Laijjun's room. He sighs and plops down on the steps, hanging his head between his knees.

He closes his eyes and breathes, focusing on listening to the house around him. The pitter patter of water from Laijjun's shower, the scribble of Ziza's pen on the paper. These things are monotonous and calm his tension just a bit.

He remains like this, leaning against the railing for a while. Then his eyes slide open slowly. His ears twitch on top of his head. He breathes deeply through his nose.

What is this? A musky scent lifts Naruto's head, his eyes scan the room in front of him slowly. His ears stand erect on his head, swiveling just a tad.

He hears the faintest rustle of skin on cloth, the scent grows stronger, Naruto tenses, his feet find sturdy balance beneath him.

Then a faint growl sends a sensuous shiver traveling down his spine, he almost arches at the sensation. He has a hard time keeping his eyes open, the scent is almost overwhelming, and that growl nearly has him in a boneless heap on the floor.

What the hell is this?

Naruto stood slowly, fighting his traitorous body's shaking. His clawed hands grip the stairs railing tightly. He clenches his teeth and a low threatening rumble vibrates through his chest.

He smells the air and then his ears flick back at the soft footsteps from behind.

Ziza's room! Too close!

And Naruto whirls, hackles raised as a threatening growl rips through the air. The man pauses midstep and Naruto's eyes greedily appraise him.

Wide broad shoulders, sinewy muscles ripple under a black sleeveless form fitting shirt, scraggly brown hair grows long hiding the face, eyes gleam in the shadows, a pair of black goggles dangle from large strong fingers. And the eyes, the eyes ensnare and threaten and caress and Naruto doesn't know whether he wants to move closer to the creature in front of him or run far far away.

Ziza, Ziza, Ziza, and Laijjun in the shower in her room.

This time, protect them all.

Naruto glares at the hairy man. His eyes gleam menacingly back at the silver shine and a rumbling chuckle rolls from the man.

"You some kind of housepet?" It takes Naruto a moment to process what was actually said in that wickedly low throaty voice. And when it does Naruto wants to strangle the bastard standing so nonchalantly in front of him. Pink lips raise from wickedly curved fangs, a vicious rumble vibrates his throat and he doesn't realize he's flexing his hands, claws itching for blood. The man tilts his head, his eyes narrow contemplatively.

"Who the fuck are you? What are you doing here?" Naruto can barely enunciate past the growls ripping from his throat.

"Aah, fido can speak. Here I was thinking, you were just the trained watchdog." The man takes a few careful steps closer as he says this and despite the fact that the low husky tones portray no ill intent, the moment the man finishes his sentence, Naruto sees red.

He came in through the open window in the back, the dimly lit room he shifted through smelled like a woman. A soft scent, contrasting wickedly with the angry intent building in his chest. A wide double bed, so this was where he slept. The shower was running, Riddick toed the bathroom door shut. He made his way to the bedroom door and paused in the doorway. On the stairs, brightness, or something dark that shone brightly. Riddick wanted a better look at such an odd thing. So he crept closer, and he was almost immediately noticed.

Jaunty animal ears perked up from the mess of blond, Riddick stared at those ears for a good thirty seconds before accepting their presence and moving down to profile the face. And what a face. Feline and narrow and glittering large blue eyes peeking from under thick lashes. Straight nose over the softest looking pink lips Riddick had ever laid eyes on. Riddick slides closer, wanting that face to jerk to him, eyes widening in surprise. But the ears perked back and Riddick knew then without a doubt that this creature knew he was there. The lithe body tensed, and Riddick enjoyed watching those lean muscles tighten against his clothes.

Something in him purrs and a low exhale rumbles past his lips. The creature stiffens on the steps, then starts trembling. Riddick feels a low part of his anatomy twitch. He watches the blond rise to his feet, examines the long fingered hand gripping the railing like a life line.

Then he hears an uncertain growl that has flames igniting in his gut and heat spilling down into his groin. He doesn't resist the urge to step closer to the little blond and that's when the real fun starts.

The boy whirls on him, his eyes spit figurative sparks, A low grumble shifts the air and he belatedly realizes the kid's growl is rather threatening. The metal shivs resting against the skin of his back are reassuring though.

He chuckles then, that feral sound the kid made and the source of the noise don't exactly match. But then Riddick catches the creatures eyes. They gleam dully, focused solely, chillingly, on him. Now, what exactly is such a creature doing in Imam's house?

"You some kind of housepet?" He asks, eyes appreciative. He didn't think Imam was the type to take in strays, or keep them.

Pinks lips stretch over an expanse of glittering white teeth, two cute little fangs protrude from under the upper lip. Riddick immediately envisions those sharp white teeth brushing against his cock while a pink little tongue laps at the warm flesh and two large hazy blue eyes gaze up at him.

He swallows imperceptibly and traces those pink lips emitting such wild feral sounds with his eyes.

"Who the fuck are you? What are you doing here?"

Riddick is slightly taken aback by the sudden words. He blinks slowly at the kid.

"Aah, fido can speak. Here I was thinking, you were just the trained watchdog." He slowly drawls, the kid freezes up for an instant, Riddick watches with expectant eyes the tightening muscles. Then there's movement, fast and precise. He's only just blocked a low swipe of curved claws protruding from a rigid fingered hand when the other hand surges forward in a blur and clips his collarbone, aiming for the throat. A killing strike.

Riddick catches both wrists and with effort, holds the feral creature there. Tense and angry blue eyes gleam at him, the kid breathes slowly. Riddick feels a warm trickle of blood slide down his chest into his shirt from the slice he'd got and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth.

"Quick little thing, aren't you."

The kid scowls, nose wrinkled and teeth grind against each other. Riddick chuckles, eyes devouring the frustrated snarl the boy emits.

"No need for that fido, I'm just here for your master." He baits, fishing for information. The kid seems the type to get reckless when angry. And the kid doesn't disappoint.

"Fuck you! I'm nobody's housepet, What the hell do you want with Imam?" He yowls, eyes blazing, the soft blond spikes of hair start to defy gravity and raise up on their own.

"The reasons are personal, fido." The reason is simple, actually, the holy man betrayed him. Riddick wants to know why. But what he wants to know the most right now, is if this little blond is any kind of pet to Imam. He seems rather fond of the holy man.

"Stop calling me that! The name's Naruto! And I don't care how personal your reasons are, there's no excuse for breaking into his house. He's not even home! You wanna see him that badly come back later." The kid's voice calms, his body is still tense though. Riddick smiles patiently down at those blue eyes.

"If I leave, it'll only be to find the holy man... and why waste time searching for him when I already know where he'll be? Kind of hypocritical of such a title, though, the wife in the shower, the toy waiting out here on the stairs... or are you hers?"

Riddick doesn't even have time to blink, the kid's hands are ripped from his grip in a move so fast Riddick almost gets disemboweled right there. All thoughts of this creature as a toy, or a mere housepet flee in the wake of this attack. It's unhesitatingly lethal. Well, almost.

The blond's moves are fluid, his eyes gleam an icy blue behind slit eyelids. He's trying to drop Riddick. No more talking, no more negotiating. And the kids damn fast. Riddick gets a few long strands of his beard sliced clean off in the first attack, then he's on the defensive, fending off attacks meant to drop him on contact. The shivs press tightly to his back, he considers reaching for them, but he really doesn't want his hands preoccupied at the moment. He'll have to create some kind of opening in this constant string of attacks to even think of reaching back.

Naruto doesn't give him one. He has Riddick ducking and weaving constantly, the silvery eyes once complacent are focused now in a familiar way that sends shivers down Naruto's spine. He feels the rumble building in his throat, growling in frustration. This punk should be on the floor bleeding all over Imam's carpets, not still evading his attacks. Who the fuck is this guy?

He feels like a genin again, trying to snatch a bell from Kakashi-sensei. The sudden reminiscent thought spurs Naruto into a desperate reckless lunge that the unknown man springs away from easily. Then all movement freezes when Naruto feels an icy line pressed against his throat. He doesn't even swallow in fear of slicing his neck open on the blade held firmly there. He grits his teeth and glares up at the man. Both of their breathing is slightly labored. They stand like that for a moment. Silver eyes gleam down at him cruelly vacant.

Riddick is slightly surprised. His chance for retaliation came when a desperate look built up behind those blue eyes and Naruto had given Riddick the opening he'd been waiting for, but when he'd gripped those shivs and went for the kill, something... stopped him. He stares down at that angry tight face, gaze lingering on the slit pupils of the kids eyes. Hadn't he just learned this lesson?

No such word as "friend.'" Can only end bad, when you let someone get too close. Bad for them.

Naruto contemplates just risking a slit throat, maybe it'll heal before he dies, and gutting this bastard with his claws when the front door swings open. Naruto blinks, the sudden shift of focus confusing him for a moment, he barely registers Imam glancing up at him before doubletaking and gasping.

"Riddick! No! Leave the boy alone!"

TBC...

Omg. Cliff hanger? Lolwut? Chyeah. So how'd you like this interaction between our main pairing? Tadah! Thanks so much for the reviews :D