Shikamaru crouched low in the shadows. "Ino, Choji, I've got the entrance to the hideout in my sights." "Roger." The young shadow ninja leapt down from the dense forest and approached the hideout. "Guys, there doesn't seem to be anyone here… Stay alert." Picking his way through the brush, Shikamaru approached the crevice of rocks poking out against the green forest. "Guys it looks like it's clear." Shikamaru waved his team over to where he was standing. The three shinobi tentatively approached the hideout, kunai drawn, ready to attack if needed. If only we had Neji's Byakugan… Shikamaru thought as they quietly peered into the darkness. As the young ninja stepped inside the cavern, their eyes started to adjust. Shikamaru gasped and staggered backwards as he gazed upon what lay before them. The room was spacious, with many surgical tables and hospital beds lined up among the walls. The hideout was clean, not a leaf or smidge of dust on any of the clean steel counters. But even more curious were the tiny imprints of tiny bodies under the sheets on the beds. I don't sense any chakra emanating from th—" Shikamaru gasped as he ran to the sheets. He frantically pulled the sheets back, his eyes pleading with the truth. "Shikamaru…" Ino grabbed his shoulder. Slightly pulling Shikamaru aside, she placed two fingers upon the pulse of tiny body under the white sheet. After a few moments she called out the time. "I'll have to do this for all of them… you guys can wait outside if it'll make you feel a little better." Ino spoke, correcting her face and turning to the boys. Choji and Shikamaru both nodded and turned to the entrance to leave, the latter fighting back tears. Outside, Shikamaru stared at the ground. The rage… hatred… sorrow… that he felt within him, was understandable, he thought. He had Kurenai's child and the rest of the children, the will of fire, to take care of. Ino took her time, taking care to tuck all the limbs of the children into the white sheets, before she emerged from the cave. She stopped and placed a hand gently on Shikamaru's shoulder. "Did you send the report…?" She softly inquired. Shikamaru shook his head as he brought out a pen and quickly scribbled down a few choice sentences. Summoning his wolves, he gave the scroll to the biggest wolf and stared blankly as he watched the wolves disappear into the clearing. Sighing into the wind, Shikamaru clutched his chest as a sob escaped his throat. Ino grabbed his shoulders, turning him towards her, hanging on to the sob ridden Jonin. Smoothing his hair down she tried to comfort him with only the silence she was able to allow.