He shook his head immediately. "You have no idea how many people have decided to bail on me at unofficial meetings like these because they decided I wasn't coming." His tone was serious, and he was studying her thoughtfully.

"It's a good trait, patience. Not that I actually intended to make you wait, but I've never been good at ignoring my villagers if I didn't have somewhere life and death to be."

He hitched up a shoulder in a small shrug, and then spread his hands. "So. Come and get me. Use as deadly of force as you want, my ANBU aren't going to get involved unless you don't back off when I call a halt."