DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS. THIS IS JUST A FAN-MADE STORY!
Hours after the gruel scenario, Kakuzu recovered and slowly got up from the ground. He noticed that Hidan's Jashin amulet was lying on the ground, having fallen from his neck while he was attacked by Orochimaru. Kakuzu didn't bother taking it with him, regardless of the fact that he knew how important it was to his religious partner. Instead, he began making his way back to the Akatsuki hideout to inform the others of what had happened.
"Kakuzu, what is the meaning of this?" asked Pain, his Rinnegan focused directly on Kakuzu.
"I apologise master, but I'm afraid our failure is for good reason this time," said Kakuzu.
"How so?" asked Pain.
"We were making our way towards the Leaf village, when we were suddenly attacked by Orochimaru. He knocked me down...and kidnapped Hidan," Kakuzu explained grimly.
"What?" said Pain, while Konan gasped.
"Hah! Serves that bastard right! Hm!" said Deidara.
"Be quiet Deidara!" Pain shouted suddenly, shocking them all.
"S-sorry m-master," said Deidara, surprised at Pain's sudden outburst.
"If one of us has been captured then we must bring him back! Don't forget what I said about holding no grudges against eachother!" said Pain.
"Fine, hm," said Deidara quietly.
"Might I add something else, master?" asked Kakuzu.
"Of course," said Pain.
"Lately, Hidan has been acting rather unusual. During our first travel to the Leaf village, he was perfectly normal until we stopped for a while. In that time, he went somewhere and returned, and from then on was quiet, too quiet. He was the same today," said Kakuzu.
"What do you think the reason could be?" asked Pain.
"To tell the truth, I asked him but he stubbornly refused to answer, and I'm afraid I haven't got the slightest idea," said Kakuzu.
"Why are you worrying about something like that? Just forget about him! Let him act however he wants," said Kisame, but Itachi disagreed.
"No, I'm afraid I disagree with you here, Kisame," he said: "A person's behaviour determines what they're going through. If his behaviour changed so abruptly, then surely there must be a significant reason for it."
"Excellent point Itachi, but we still don't know how to decipher it, and I'm afraid that our priority right now is finding out where Orochimaru is keeping Hidan," said Pain.
"And another thing I almost forgot to point out. The reason for Orochimaru taking Hidan was to steal his immortality," said Kakuzu.
"I see...we must find them," said Pain.
"Should we send Zetsu?" asked Konan, looking at Pain with interest.
"Perhaps..." said Pain.