Gohan was vaguely aware that his back was now on the ground, but he hadn't yet become aware of the fact that he was trying to scream. He could indistinctly make out the creature's form on top of him, with it's talon-like fingers digging into his shoulders.
But, all these feelings were begining to fade. Withthose red-silver eyes boring into his own, Gohan felt as if nothing mattered. All his fears, all his mental cries for help, and even all his screams were begining to fade in the haunting comfort of those eyes.
Gohan had the ill-defined sense that his head was being pushed back, and that he could see two small glints in the masking smoke.
The creature began to hiss, and Gohan's screams resumed.

Piccolo had stood opposite Gohan's position in the formation. He hated to admit it, but he didn't like the idea of Gohan actually being involved in this fight. He had heard about the 'Fry pan incident' at Master Roshi's house when it was discovered Gohan had been allowed to see 'Nightmare on Elm Street.' The kid had had nightmares for two weeks afterward. He wondered if himself and Goku would be subjected to 'The Pan' if Gohan got freaked out about this fight. Vampires had to frightening on some level to a seven year old.

Piccolo's sensitive ears suddenly picked up a noise. It started as a shout, but tapered into a low mewling or moaning sound. He also felt like, what humans may call, a splitting migrane. It was as quick as a lightning strike and just as forcefull in carrying it's message.
"Piccolo-san..."
Piccolo's breath caught in his throat. His mind began to race with possiblities, and ways to stop them from happening. He knew he couldn't outright charge into the smoke. It was too heavy, too thick, and charging in could do more harm than good.

The smoke was beginning to thin out. Not enough for optimal vision, but enough to pick out shady silohettes and shapes.

Piccolo looked through the fog, frantically searching for any signs of distress. That's when he saw the cause of Gohan's cry.
He didn't know how he could tell it was Gohan, by some miracle he just knew. Gohan's form was on his back, with the creature pinning him down. Piccolo was shocked out of his momentary panic by the sound of Gohan's renewed screams.
Piccolo rushed at the form. As he came closer and closer, the details of the two forms on the ground became sharper and sharper. Piccolo could see the pale neck and hands of the creature. He could see it's matted and dirty hair. And, bad, he could see it's glinting fangs. And, worse, just as he was almost within arms reach of them, he saw the creatures head thrust forward.

Piccolo wasn't sure he'd flown that fast in all his life. The instant the creature's head had siezed forward, Piccolo was right there. He siezed it by the back of it's pale and clammy neck, violently pulling it off Gohan.
By now, almost all the smoke had cleared, and the rest of the Z senshi were either right there or very close.

Goku kneeled down and cradled his young son in his arms. He lightly slapped him on each side of the face, desperately trying to bring him back to a conscious state. Goku wasn't totally aware that he was quietly calling his son's name over and over. To his awesome relief, Gohan opened his eyes.

Vegeta materialized in front of Piccolo, with a ready blast in his palm. Piccolo barely had enough time to get his head and body out of the way before Vegeta unleashed his ki onto the creatures' head and neck. The attack worked; it vaporized the creature's head, neck, part of it's shoulders, and Piccolo's lower arm.
"Thanks Vegeta." Piccolo said sarcastically as he regenerated his arm, wrist, and hand.
"Serves you right, namek. You should learn to be faster."
Vegeta smirked smugly.
Momentarily forgetting Gohan, Piccolo imagined how good it would feel to wipe that smirk right off Vegeta's little face.

"Where'd Kakkarot go off to now?" Vegeta said, bringing Piccolo back to reality.
Krillen, who had been silent up to now, had the answer. "I think he took Gohan to Bulma's. I guess he wanted to make sure that...thing...didn't infect Gohan."
Piccolo stared in the direction of Capsule Corp.

Goku had shown up at Capsule Corp. ten minutes ago. He'd been near hysterics. Bulma had been able to figure out that Goku believed that the creature had bitten Gohan's throat.
Bulma took Gohan back in the exam room, buthad made Goku wait in the lobby. She examined him head to toe. She even took blood work. She spent a good hour and half with the exam. That's when she decided to brief Goku on his son's health.

"He's fine." Bulma said.
"But...I thought." Goku stammered.
"Nope. Creature barely even penetrated the skin surface. Whoever grabbed that creature did it just in the nick of time. Gohan only has a few scratches anda few minor cuts on his shoulders, where I think that thing may have grabbed him."
"But, he's not infected or anything?" Goku asked hopefully.
"Not one iota of the infected blood showed up in his blood work."
Goku smiled heartily. "Can I see my son?"

Gohan and Bulma walked calmly down the hall towards the waiting room Bulma had set up. Gohan had no bandages or casts or anything on. He was even smiling. Goku looked up from his hands to see Gohan rushing towards him.
"Otosan!" Gohan cried, flinging himself into his father's arms.
"Hey, big guy! You had me worried there!"
The pair smiled at each other for a brief moment.
"Whattaya say we go home?" Goku proposed.
Gohan simply shook his head.

Goku and Gohan flew at a comfortable speed towards their home. Gohan was the first to break the silence.
"Dad, should we tell mom about this?"
Goku looked questioningly over at Gohan.
"I wasn't really hurt, so maybe we just shouldn't give mom something extra to worry about."
Goku thought about this for a second. "You're right. We'll just keep this between us."
The father and son both smiled identical smiles as they touched down on their front lawn.