You decide to just keep going. You have places to be and people to see; if these guys really want to talk to you, they can speak up.
"Keep an eye on them, Briar," you advise your companion. "Let me know if they do anything."
"Like I wasn't going to do that anyway."
"I'm just saying..."
"Yeah, yeah - uh-oh."
Before you can ask Briar what they've done, there is a blur of high-speed movement, after which a vaguely familiar-looking Japanese boy is standing a few steps ahead of you. He does have a rather pronounced scowl going, you note absently as you come to a stop, thinking on how to get out of this confrontation as quickly as possible. An idea occurs to you, and you go with it.
"My apologies, but I'm afraid I have a meeting with Lady Bloodriver to attend, and don't have time to chat. Perhaps we could arrange to meet later?"
Dropping Akasha's surname fails to get so much as a blink from the older boy, or a peep from the one who's still behind you. Evidently the Dark Lady isn't as well-known in shinobi circles as you expected - either that, or you've lucked into a meeting with two ninjas who missed the class on Prominent Figures Not To Cross.
Ignoring your opening remark, the boy in front of you says, "It has come to our attention that you have plans involving the outcast, foreigner."
It's your turn to frown. You have a suspicion who he's referring to, but... "Who?"
The scowl deepens. "The Tengu brat."
"Still not following you," you lie calmly.
"Ayane," he finally growls.
"Ah. As a matter of fact, I am supposed to meet her later today. And probably Kasumi as well." And you'd like to know how, exactly, these two found out about that.
"So we have heard. Unfortunately, that meeting will not be taking place." He says it like it's a foregone conclusion.