Chouji lowers the journal for a moment as soon as he hears Ino laugh. If any images are getting through, he doesn't want her to see him wince. What she says next only makes matters worse. Inoichi is resting now, but it's not a good thing. He shuts his eyes briefly.

"We're in the middle of a battle. Don't say anything more."

Shikamaru's words echo in his mind. The battle wasn't over yet when Chouji left, and it's still not time for any of them to process this. He swallows and makes sure he sounds cheerful when he replies. There's a smile on his face by the time he tilts the journal back up. "Good! I'll see you soon then, Ino. Should I do anything to help you find me?"

He sighs, adding more quietly, "There are some stories, I just don't know how many of them you'd consider good." It's a war, after all.

Because he won't let their reunion be a sad one, Chouji grins again as he continues, "I'll gladly tell you all about how well you fought, though." He can take refuge in compliments for a minute or two. Ino may be beautiful, but Chouji sometimes thinks she doesn't get enough praise for her competence rather than her looks. During their recent battles, still too fresh in his memory, Ino was the steady one, and Chouji isn't sure how he would have managed without her.