Rei made her last rounds along the ryokan's property, making sure all their security systems are all working. Ami on the other hand checked on their guests before turning down for the night.

Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako's quarters are located at the annex building, a small area at the back end of the whole property where guests don't have any access. Rei and Ami slipped quietly into the annex and made their way to the meeting room, a concealed room hidden within another room.

"Now that's something to look forward to." Wufei grinned, his black eyes showed a hint of shrewdness.

Noin took the plate of sandwich and rested her back on the chair. "That's basically what you need to know for now." she said as she took a bite, "You guys must be excited, it has been quite a while since you had anything of this scale." she chuckled and nodded at Quatre.

"As mentioned, we will be teaming up with our agents in Japan. The set up is still yet to be revealed when we get there, but for now it wouldn't be bad if you'll have an idea who our counterparts are." he then turned his laptop around so the other four can see.

"Five girls and a guy. Not that there's a gender issue, but they haven't had any experience dealing with high profile cases outside Japan. Except for the guy." Wufei added the last comment just to make it bearable for him, but the tone was still pretty much displeased.

"But you have to admit, for a team like that, they've got quite a lot to boot – in a span of 4 years too." Noin pointed out.

"We'll depart for IO-24 in 2 days, right?" Heero asked in his usual monotone voice.

Noin nodded.

Heero then deleted the file in Quatre's laptop, "Then it's settled."

"Anyone up for sweets to end this casual meeting?" Duo concluded as he walked towards the chiller.

But the lively tone in his voice didn't match what was going on in his head, similarly to what was going on with Trowa's.

"IO-24?" Makoto gasped.

Haruka nodded, a smile formed at the corners of her mouth. "Seems like you've all been chosen. Although I was surprised Usagi made the cut." she snorted in a teasing way.

The other four girls gave a weak, slightly embarrassed smile.

"But I guess Chiba-san has a good effect on her." she exhaled out of consolation.

"Nervous, Ami-chan?" Hotaru placed a hand over Ami's.

"Uhmm…it is overwhelming to be honest. This one is really different from what we had been doing…"

"I have to admit, not knowing much about this new mission and the distance and scale this will cover plus working with much more experienced agents…it is quite unnerving just thinking about it." Rei added, her voice undeniably anxious.

Setsuna moved closer to where the four girls are seated, "You've all come this far. Have more faith in yourselves. The organization wouldn't have chosen you all if they don't think you have what it takes." she smiled at them assuringly.

"Oh! Did we mention that you'll be departing the day after tomorrow?" Michiru asked, quite innocently.

"Eeehhh?" Minako panicked.

Ami sat there, looking a bit lost as she stared at everything that was going on in front of her. However, she didn't actually hear much of what Michiru had said because the faces of the ones they will be teaming up with dug emotions she thought was long gone.

Makoto saw the look in Ami's eyes, but for now, comforting her had to wait because she wasn't as calm as she had hoped she would be.