Her words brought a curious look to his face, there was a lot that was being left out between the two. Granted it was a long time ago, and a lot had happened since then. "Kinda felt like... the only thing that could separate us was ourselves." he thought to himself. A subtle thought about his year gone quickly fled as he changed the subject.
Zaku's eyes went wide the the revelation that it was the thousand years of pain jutsu. His mouth slowly began to spread into a smile which he had to try very hard to stop it from turning into an audible chuckle. As she went on, it became obvious that she hadn't been able to talk to anyone about this, and that this meeting was so much more than just closure about what had happened. It was retying that bond that had been severed.
Zaku's thought went to the deceased, and how it really was just moments away. For all he knew, their lives would end by choking on one of these corn dogs. It was good that she spoke about the students in the academy. While they too might die some day, it meant that there were still people with dreams and hopes living in the world. Something he wasn't to sure he believed in anymore. The immense power chakra gave to individuals really was a danger in itself. It stole away his freedom, it had taken lives, and it continues to cause strife. "Perhaps the world would be better without Shinobi." he thought.
Quickly refocusing on her final words, his smile returned and shook his head. "Rambling is good. It sounds like you needed to talk to someone." he said with a slight nod in the head. "Speaking of the academy, I think I'm gonna teach a class myself. There are some things I know now I wish my instructors had told me about, and I think I'd like our next generation of genin to know it." he said his voice growing softer and more distant, in thought no doubt. It was then he noticed they were done eating.
"Oh well, should we get going? It's not to far to my old place so..."