Assassin AU;

Macha (A.K.A. Valkyrie Cain) sighed. It was her second mission and she had already got attacked. Trying to find info on a target and a man had shown up, a minion of her target as it turned out, thinking she was the niece of the dead man who owned the house she was snooping through. She had only survived with the help of another assassin who had showed up for the same info. The Skeleton they called them, that or Skeleton Detective. Apparently he had a habit of solving mysteries during jobs. She had passed out from lack of oxygen and didn't really expect him or the info to be there when she came-to.

"I still think it's ridiculous how young these kids are getting. This one must be only twelve. I'm telling you. Good though, almost got him before he cut her oxygen off. Yeah I know. Yeah I've got the info. I just want to know why she's here. Heard they sent someone else after him but I really don't think they would send some child." He said into the phone moving back and forth at the front of the room.

Macha frowned. She was the highest-ranking assassin in the whole academy. She knew this wouldn't get her far in the real world but she was hoping for some respect.

She cleared her throat as she sat up watching him carefully. She could see where he got his name now. His skin was pearl white and gaunt but somehow beautiful and he had scruffy ink black hair. He was wearing a black suit with a hat like the old privet eyes from black and white movies and seemed to move with impossible grace. He hung up quickly and gave her a polite smile.

"How are you? That was quite a fight."

Macha watched him calmly not saying anything. After a moment she smiled tightly back to him.

"Nothing I haven't dealt with already. You're The Skeleton."

His smile stretched into a grin and he stood.

"You've done your homework then. How about a cup of tea?"

Macha followed him cautiously into the kitchen. They may work on the same side be both spied on, killed and protected people for a living and she didn't truly know that much on the elusive 'Skeleton'.

"Should I ask how long I was out for?"

"Not too long. An hour maybe, an hour and a half?"

"Wonderful." She muttered watching him make the tea carefully, not wanting to miss it if he slipped something into it.

He noticed her watching and smirked. "Would you like me to drink some to shown its not poisoned or?"

Macha snapped her head up and shook it. "No. Sorry bad experience with a drugged drink. Force of habit."

"Not a bad one."

"Depends on your view-point."

"That it does. Do I get a name or?"

"I'm known as Macha."

"Well Macha, it was a pleasure to meet you."

He moved to leave and Macha shot out in front of him.

"Not a chance. You have something I need and I plan to get it."

He raised a dark eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"I heard you on the phone. You have my info. I don't care if we're after the same guy, its still mine."

"You're fairly confident for someone in way over their head."

"Not over my head just swimming in the deep end."

Skeleton chuckled and shrugged. "I'm still not giving you the information."

"Guessed as much. You do remember me saying that I heard your conversation? You called me, what was it? A child. And you're right I'm a child but I am also the highest ranking 'child' in the academy. I know a few tricks."

"Is that so? Impress me then."

Macha smiled and shot forward. Skeleton dodged out of the way but she knew this was coming and twisted grabbing his jacket and swinging away from him with his phone and hat in her hands.

He twisted and smirked at the girl standing the other side of the room with his phone and hat.

"Very well. You can join me in going to see an informant of mine."

Macha grinned and inspected the hat before placing it on.

"Right lets go then."

'Skeleton's' PoV;

He watched the girl as she moved towards his car. Jet black hair that was cut to above her shoulders, strong, lean arms, completely black outfit and sharp mind. Obviously had problems with people, scars on her skin, probably resentment from her high rank. He could see the ranking now. She carried herself with the confidence of someone who knew exactly what she was doing and had every right to do it. Good for undercover work and slipping through crowds. She watched everything carefully; taking in details others would dismiss, and observed the people she met, cataloguing them.

"There are some things you need before you meet my informant, in the likely case you don't know her. One; don't tell her your proper name, no matter what, and Two; Do not trust her."

"Right. Can I have a name? Or are you bitter?"

He huffed and looked at the girl in his passenger seat. She was rubbing her neck faintly where bruises were starting to show and smirked faintly.

"Her name is China Sorrows, everyone calls her Sorrows. And of course I'm not bitter. I'm much too mature for that."

"I've heard of China. Only the desperate or the insane go to her."

"Ah. Good to know."

General PoV;

When they got there Skeleton stopped the car and got out.

"Coming?"

"Of course."

They got out and went to an old tenant building. They climbed the stairs to the top. Skeleton nodded to a man in a bowtie and they went inside.

"Skeleton. It's been a while dear."

"I guess you could say that."

"And who may you be?"

Macha smiled thinly and held out her hand. "Macha, Miss Sorrows."

"Ah. I have heard of you. Quite the history you have."

"It is history Miss Sorrows, leave it there."

She smiled widely. "But of course! Now, what is it you need?"

The Skeleton stepped in. "I was wondering about Nefarian Serpine."

Sorrows laughed and nodded. "I also got whispers about that. And no, I haven't heard anything of relevance."

Skeleton nodded and went further into the library.

"Do you not think he won't find out?" Sorrows asked when Skeleton left earshot. "He is a detective for a reason."

"It is no-ones business but my own."

"He was great friends with your uncle, so was I. That is only reason I won't tell him. But he will find out, Macha."

"I will deal that when it comes."

"Poor little girl, family killed when she was six, the only reason the academy took you in was because of your family. Everyone was older than you of course, only kids eight or over were ever meant to go. Had to prove yourself pretty fast didn't you?"

Macha watch her but said nothing. The Skeleton came back holding a book and only looked up as he drew closer.

"What did you say?" he asked as he watched them.

"Nothing." Macha snapped turning and walking away. "I'm going."

Skeleton nodded and brought the book with him as he followed her out. Before she reached the door Macha turned back and said, "I was two."

"I was curious. I knew your name from somewhere so I went poking and found it." Skeleton said, as they sat in his car. He had a large leather-bound book on his lap.

"Macha(pronounced MOCK-uh) is the Irish goddess of war. Along with her sisters Badb and Anu, she forms the triple Goddess known as the Morrigan. All three could take the form of crows or ravens, and would fly over battlefields, choosing who would die and who would live. They would then take the souls of the deceased in their black wings, flying them off to the Otherworld. They are believed to be connected to the valkyries from Norse mythology." He read out from the book.

"Well I was going to go with Shadow but someone had taken it."

"It's quite an interesting name, the goddess of war, to have the power to pick who would live and who would die."

"I have some grudges to settle, maybe I'll change after that."

"Never said it was a bad thing, I just happened to know a kid with the name of Valkyrie, actually knew her uncle to be exact. Found it odd that you were around her age, with a name that linked back to hers, thought you might know her."

Macha looked back at him blankly. "Sorry, not ringing any bells."

"Right, well I have to meet someone, I'm assuming you're coming along?"

"Damn right."