It had been twenty minutes already, and the Dragon ambassadors were late.  One might almost suspect a deliberate insult--if they had been Scorpion or even Crane--but these were Dragon, and known for their punctuality and courtesy.  Well, to be fair, Kitsuki Fuji was known for his courtesy; Mirumoto Yamada was mostly known for his his politely monosyllabic responses; and Kitsuki Ryoma was known for his...excessive honesty.  But it was unheard of for them to be late to any meeting, let alone one with a member of their own Clan.

Toshirou struggles to control himself as the pain grows in his legs.  Having spent most of his life far from any court, he is unpracticed in sitting seiza.  His feet, folded underneath him in traditional style, cramp terribly.

"Aki-san," the dragon says to his assigned yojimbo.  Consciously ensuring his words are not meant to disparage his superiors, he asks  "Perhaps my memory is failing me?  We must have been expected to meet with the ambassadors at a later hour than I recall."

“It’s a possibility Toshirou-San,” Aki gracefully raised a plain rice-paper fan and fanned himself,  before continuing in his most polite voice. “Of course they may have been delayed in some way. I’m sure everything is fine.”

"Indeed, the honorable Fuji-sama and Ryoma-sama have many duties more important than greeting a samurai of little note and his yojimbo," Toshirou notes.  "But my distant cousins are both courteous and scrupulous.  Only a dire crisis would keep them from sending a message, if indeed they were delayed.  Kakita-san, I have no wish to impose on the palace staff, but perhaps you might make inquiries as to news of my superiors?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:16, Mon 30 Mar 2009.

Without hesitation Aki stood and looked out into the hallway for any servants, not wanting to get to far away from Toshirou he is hesitant to leave the room entirely.

“If something is wrong Toshirou-San than I don’t think it wise for me to leave your side.” not wishing to disobey him Aki remained silent.

"I cannot join you. It would not do for the ambassadors to arrive to find their guests have left." Toshirou shifts slightly, ostensibly to face his yojimbo but actually to momentarily relieve the pressure on his legs.  "Your concern is much appreciated, Kakita-san.  But the walls are thin here, and the Crane are wealthy and have many servants.  Though you are correct that I cannot hope to match your expertise with a sword, I am capable of defending myself long enough for you to return to my side. So long as you remained close enough to hear me shout, you would not be derelict in your duty to guard me."

Aki closed his fan against his right hand and stuffed it up his sleeve before bowing to Toshirou, This is not wise, he thought to himself as he left the room closing the shoji door behind him. Walking down the hallway a short way looking for a servant or an attendant to quickly ask information from.

Aki quickly espies a servant carrying a tea tray.

"Yes, sama?" the servant replies to Aki's presence, "how may I help you?"

"Yes, I was hoping to enquire about the reabouts of  Fuji-sama and Ryoma-sama." Aki politely asks as he keeps a sidelong watch on the door that leads to Toshirou.

"Kitsuki-sama and Kitsuki-sama left earlier today to visit the rooms of Doji Kusanagi-sama, may the Fortunes rest his soul," the servant replies, "as a favor to Daidoji Sakura-sama."

"Thank you," Aki nodded slightly to the servent before he strode back to the room and entered, "Toshirou-San, Fuji-sama and Ryoma-sama have gone to pay respects to Doji Kusanagi-sama, I don't believe that they will make our meeting."

Toshirou raises and eyebrow.  "Have they now?"

Toshirou is not an experienced courtier, but he is an skilled magistrate, so he makes a fair showing of concealing his emotions. Nonetheless, it is clear he is deep in thought.  "This does not sit well with me.  They were late to a meeting, and did so discourteously. That is something they would not do unless a crisis had arisen."  Toshirou stands and gives a bow of respect to Aki.  "Kakita-san, I deeply apologize for making your task of guarding me more difficult.  But I am a samurai, and a magistrate.  My duty requires me to ensure my lords' wellbeing.  Would you be so kind as to accompany me to Doji-sama's room?"

"It would be my Honor to accompany you Kitsuki-San." Aki returned the bow to Toshirou as he opened the door and allowed him to go through first.

Gathering the gifts he was prepared to offer the diplomats, then checking the position of his Daisho and Magistrate's Jitte, Toshirou moves wiftly towards hsi destination.