"Shikamaru will probably give me a spectacularly long mission briefing if I ask enough questions," Chouji mutters, sighing. He doesn't like to think about it, but avoiding the truth won't make it disappear. Shikamaru has been here for years, and Chouji just arrived. He does appreciate Sakura skirting the subject, but he'd rather let it sink in right away. That way it's just one more blow on top of a long, hard day.

After all, if he's missed a lot here, Shikamaru has missed as much at home. Not as much time, maybe, but Chouji remembers things his best friend doesn't. Important things that will hurt a lot more than a couple of years missed. "I'm so glad I talked to you first, though. I couldn't..." He would have given everything away immediately. "I would have done everything wrong with my teammates." Chouji can't express how grateful he is to Sakura for preventing that.