Alive again

A/N: ah the joy of GSCE homework

Disclaimer: do you read these anymore?

"I think I can track down Deepground"

Genesis leaned forward almost eagerly "how?" he breathed

Vincent shifted uncomfortably, he didn't like talking about his demons at the best of times "you know about Chaos, but I have three other demons sharing my body"

Genesis frowned "how is that knowledge going to help" he said bluntly then sighed "sorry, the attack on Cloud has made me nervous, it means they're serious"

"There's one particular demon who could help us, but" Vincent let out a long breath "he's unpredictable and he doesn't listen to reason"

"Sounds like Kadaj" Genesis said pensively and smirked; when Vincent didn't return the smile, he leaned back wearily "what's its name?"

"Hellmasker, he's" Vincent hesitated then went on "he's almost the physical embodiment of my bloodlust, the most inhuman of all my demons although he's the one who looks most like a human

"He's going to track down Deepground" Genesis looked slightly uneasy "I don't really want them to get hurt"

"You'll have to try and persuade him" Vincent closed his eyes "he's not the type to listen to a host"

"Vincent, I…" for once Genesis found himself tongue-tied, what could he say? It's okay to be a host that would really comfort him. He flinched as Vincent stood up "you're not going to transform now are you?" he asked unable to keep a note of panic out of his voice.

Vincent bowed his head "what choice do I have, Deepground won't stop until they get what they want, if Hellmasker can track them down perhaps they won't feel inclined to attack one of us again" he met Genesis gaze with a smile "you just have be cautious, Hellmasker won't kill you unless you give him a reason to"

"I don't think" Genesis's words were lost as a loud feral snarling filled the room; he looked at the creature that stood in Vincent's place and tightened his grip on his rapier.

Hellmasker was about the same height as Vincent with the same black hair; the only difference was that it was shorter and tangled. Orange eyes glared from a white mask that covered his entire face, leaving only a few slits so he could breathe. Tattered remains of a leather bodysuit hung off his thin frame revealing twisted black scars that crossed over his body, and slung almost causally over his shoulders was a long strip of Vincent's cape. But what caught Genesis's attention was the long chainsaw he held loosely in one hand.

Hellmasker tilted his head and narrowed his eyes "so…" he breathed, his voice was low and strangely smooth "who are you?"

"Genesis" he croaked, he had the feeling that this demon was potentially more dangerous than Chaos. Even Chaos had some morals, this demon looked like he didn't understand or care what the word even meant.

Again Hellmasker let out a low threatening growl "you smell of fear Genesis, are you afraid of me?"

Genesis's gaze again flickered down to the chainsaw, he nodded rapidly.

"Good" seeming satisfied the demon looked around the room with some interest before his gaze travelled back to Genesis's face "you wanted something of me didn't you?"

"If you don't mind" Genesis said quickly and Hellmasker laughed

"If it's a hunt then yes" his voice lowered further still and a savage light came into his eyes "it's been years since he let me out"

I can see why Genesis thought and suddenly wished that Sephiroth was down there with him, at least he'd keep a cool head in this situation.

The demon tapped his mask impatiently with a claw, Genesis noticed his hands were twisted and skeletal but had an unsettling amount of dexterity. He resisted the urge to shudder. "Well?" he demanded "or shall I just make you talk"

"It's Deepground" Genesis blurted out "they've already attacked one of my friends"

"Deepground huh" Hellmasker stretched distractedly and seemed to smirk "I've fought SOLDIER before, they end up dead before they can draw their swords"

Genesis could imagine it all too clearly, Soldiers expecting a fair fight getting cut down before they could blink. He shook his head to rid his mind of the image and saw the demon leering at him.

"Leave them to me" he purred and strolled towards the door "I'll be back by tomorrow"

"Hush brother" Sephiroth said soothingly as he gently carried Yazoo downstairs "Genesis knows more about this than me, he can help"

"I know it just" Yazoo broke off and whined as Sephiroth's hand knocked against his back.

"I'm sorry" he said quietly and came to a halt in the living room where Genesis was sitting on the sofa, a look of utter despair on his face. "Genesis" he said softly and the Ex SOLDIER looked up.

"I've done something stupid"

"Can you tell me later" he nodded at his brother "he needs help"

Genesis run an experienced eye over Yazoo and snapped out of his brooding mood "lay him down here" he nodded to the place next to him and Sephiroth obeyed, quietly soothing the agitated Remnant.

Genesis gently rested his hand on Yazoo's back ignoring both Sephiroth's warning glare and Yazoo hiss of pain, he ran his hand gently up and back Yazoo right shoulder and the Remnant moaned, rolling onto his side and curling up into a ball.

"Before you lecture me" Genesis muttered before Sephiroth could open his mouth "I was checking the wing development which no doubt you'll be happy to know is going smoothly, however" he paused and met Sephiroth's troubled gaze "development will be slower than Kadaj's wing was, so he's be in more pain for longer"

"What can we do to help him?"

"Bind his back with warm bandages and change them regularly, the longer growth time will mean that bones may rip through his skin beforehand, the same thing happened to me Yazoo" he said laying a hand Yazoo's shoulder "it won't last forever I promise" he turned his gaze back to Sephiroth "I suppose Chaos will release the wing"

Sephiroth nodded then frowned "where is father?" he asked looking round the room.

Genesis sighed and sat down wearily "that is what I have to talk to you about" he said tiredly "I think I've done something terrible"

Hellmasker's loose! hahaha, let's see how Deepground handle this

Jeez I have got to think of a nickname for Hellmasker, his name is too long, any suggestions? :D