Author's Notes: Okay, it's been forever and a day since I updated this story. But I was looking through my old files, found this one, and couldn't believe that I hadn't published it. Was I out of my mind?

We'll have to see.

The one's a personal favorite, though, so I hope you enjoy it. Oh, and I know I said, "No more interpretations," but I'd just like to throw a side-comment in here about the last chapter, simply because it will be easy to do. I'd always thought that it was kinda funny—well, interesting is probably the better word—how Goku was always so detached from his family in the series. I mean, the guy's got a great heart, is super strong, the perfect hero… and yet, the only family bonding he does is a little scene here or there with his son. He really doesn't have much going on with Chi-Chi at all. So, I figured I might touch on the subject of how he "abuses" his family at home. He suddenly sees all the stuff he hasn't taken care of… and yet, his family still love him. Because who can't help but love the guy?

Anyway, here's THIS short story. Enjoy.

Mohstas

When I first wake up, I think that the screams ringing in my ears are nothing more than my alarm clock's buzz. I turn over on my side, prepared to pound a fist on top of it, when its neon numbers catch my eye: 4:21 AM. Wait a second…

There's another scream, and this time I sit up in bed, trying to disentangle myself from the sheets. My mind pounds and my heart catches in my throat, the frantic response that only a mother could have. I glance to my right and see that Vegeta's woken up too, though he doesn't seem to be having nearly as much trouble with the bed as I am. I watch him stand up and jog out of the room right before I fall out of bed and land on my back, my legs wrapped up like some sort of Christmas present.

The screams are still echoing around the house, driving me mad, as I disengage myself. I have to be near my baby. I have to. Something's troubling him and I have to fix it. I finally scramble to my feet and head towards the door, but I stub my little toe against my desk in the process, and cry out in pain. I curse the dark and I curse the pain.

The screams finally subside. Vegeta must have gotten to his bedside.

I whine and try to forget the pain as I trot down to Trunks's room, cursing the size of my gargantuan house. As I get closer, soft, mixed murmurs float out to meet me. I pause at his door to grab my still-throbbing toe, peering inside. Vegeta has kneeled beside our two-year-old's bed, his back to me, and I decipher whether or not I should rush in. I've never seen Vegeta act like… well… a father figure before, and I don't want to interrupt him.

"What's wrong?"

"Daddie, a mohsta was chasing me," Trunks sobs, and my hand clenches tighter around my foot, my heart aching. "It was twying to eat me, Daddie."

"There's no monster," Vegeta answers, his voice low and quiet. I stare at him, willing Vegeta to lift his hand and bring Trunks into a loving gesture, but, of course, he does no such thing. "You had a dream, boy."

"But it was twying to eat me!"

"It's not real," he says, shifting his knee, which must be getting uncomfortable in his position. "You had a dream. Dreams aren't real, boy. There's no such thing as monsters."

Trunks squirms shakily on his bed, wiping his eyes with his hands, and I can tell he's fighting the urge to ask his father to hug him. Even at the age of two he knows it would upset Vegeta to merely request such a thing. He's such a smart child.

"But… but there's a mohsta in my closet, Daddie. And dere's a mohsta unda my bed. They come out at night, Daddie." Trunks sniffles. "Dey twy to eat me too."

Vegeta sighs. "Boy, how many times must I say it? There's no such thing. Can't you understand?"

Trunks looks away, and my heart aches for the need to be beside him. I almost take a step foreword, but Vegeta raises his hand and I falter, not wanting to interrupt what could possibly become a hug.

"The only monsters that exist are the ones that are in here," he says, and he lowers his hand gently to touch Trunks's forehead. "They only live because you believe they do."

I shiver, watching Trunks shake his head slowly. He lifts his own tiny hand and leans over, touching Vegeta's heart. "Nu-uh. Thewe's wun inside you too, Daddie. I see it sometimes, when it comes out. It's the most scawiest of all."

My breath catches and I feel a cold pressing hard on my chest, willing my heart to stop its beat. I shiver again and goose bumps stick up all over my arms and legs. I wish more than ever that I could see Vegeta's face. Silence passes for a second or two, and Trunks slowly removes his hand, shifting uncomfortably back under the covers. Vegeta lifts his hand and stands up.

"I saw a lot of monsters in my life too, boy," he says in a tone I can't quite decipher. Is it pity? "Maybe if you keep a strong face and be brave, they won't hurt you. Maybe they'll find someone else to pick on."

"Even the one unda the bed?"

"Even the one under the bed."

Vegeta stands and stares at Trunks for a good while, giving me a third shiver. It must be a look Trunks can't stand, too, because he looks away and starts smoothing out the wrinkles out of his sheets with his tiny hands. He suddenly speaks.

"Will you seep with me tonite, Daddie?"

"No, boy. I've got my own monsters I need to keep away."

Vegeta moves as if to turn around, but Trunks is intent on talking. "Do you think Mommie's scawed of mohstas too, Daddie?"

"I don't know. I've never asked her. She probably is."

"Do you… do you think Kami is scawed of mohstas?" Trunks asks in a voice barely above a whisper, looking surprised at his own daring.

"I'm sure, boy."

"And… and Daddie… do you think—" Trunks pauses, and I can tell he's a nervous, much to Vegeta's obvious irritation. The Sayian straightens his back in a slightly impatient motion. "—Gohwan told me dat his Daddie used to be da most stwongest fighta in the whole wowrld. Do you think his Daddie was scawed of mohstas too?"

There's a pause, and I turn my head so that my ear's facing the doorway, worried that I might miss something. A nervousness bites at my stomach, and my heart pounds, waiting to hear Vegeta's answer. He finally emits one harsh laugh, but when he speaks, his throat sounds tight and painful.

"Kakarroto? Boy, I know personally that Kakarroto had more demons chasing him than anyone I know." He pauses and I frown in confusion. Goku? Troubled? "But he was oblivious to them."

"What does o—ob—obivous mean?"

"It means… he didn't realize he was being troubled, so he was happy."

Trunks pauses, and I turn to look back through the door. Vegeta is waiting, as if expecting another question. "So if I pwetend I don't know da mohstas are dere, dey can't hurt me?"

Vegeta laughs; the sound is empty. "You figured it out. Good night, son."

Trunks calls back a good night and blows a kiss that his father doesn't return. I take a step back as Vegeta exits, and he looks at me, his expression unreadable. "Go back to bed, woman," he sighs, and I watch him strut back to our bedroom, a hand raised to his heart as if he can feel something there. I tilt my head to the side in a puzzled way before looking back at Trunks. He's already fast asleep.

I tiptoe slowly inside and crawl beside him, careful not to wake up my baby or the monster under his bed.

-Pudgoose