Chapter 7

This Could Throw Off Everything

(A/N: Please vote for your favorite character in my poll.)

Day 19

Captains Tribe

(Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Unohana, Byakuya, Komamura, Shunsui, Kenpachi, Mayuri, Ukitake)

The Captains spend some time talking about who should be the next to go. Soi Fon, Byakuya, Komamura, Ukitake and Shunsui gather together.

"I say Captain Kurotsuchi," Soi Fon states. "He already got Captain Hitsugaya's vote… he would be an easy target."

"I can't disagree with Captain Soi Fon," Byakuya says.

"The only others on the outside of our alliance are Captains Zaraki and Unohana," Ukitake states. "Captain Zaraki would be useful in any sort of team challenge."

"And you know we've got at least two team challenges to go," Shunsui comments. "We're going to need him for those."

"We got rid of the most inexperienced Captain in our last vote by voting out Captain Hitsugaya," Ukitake says. "However, if we have another vote, we're going to have a much more difficult time choosing who to vote out."

"These next couple of team challenges are important, so we need to keep Captain Zaraki around so we can go into the merge as strong as possible," Shunsui says. "We could really use his strength."

Ryoka Tribe

(Orihime, Rukia, Renji, Tatsuki, Yoruichi)

The tribe is still overjoyed from winning their last challenge.

"I still can't believe we won," Tatsuki remarks.

"That was an easy challenge for me," Yoruichi replies. "We need more challenges that are to our liking."

"Well, we're way down, but we're going to get the opportunity to win a bunch of challenges coming up," Renji comments. "If we can win four immunity challenges in a row, we'll be in okay shape going into a merge."

"I have no choice but to hope that we keep on winning immunity, because I know I'm in a tight situation," Renji says. "Even with Rukia on my side, we still have to swing one of the other three in a vote, and that won't be easy."

Captains Tribe

(Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Unohana, Byakuya, Komamura, Shunsui, Kenpachi, Mayuri, Ukitake)

Some of the captains notice Mayuri doing something suspicious.

"What are you doing, Captain Kurotsuchi?" Shunsui asks.

"This shall be my grandest experiment!" Mayuri responds.

He takes one of the tools and puts it slightly in the fire, so it begins to burn, then quickly grabs it and throws it toward the base of the shelter. The shelter begins to catch on fire.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, what is your problem?" Soi Fon asks. "Are you trying to set the whole place on fire?"

"Let's see if this works as I planned," Mayuri says, ignoring Soi Fon.

He takes a long log that makes up part of the shelter, which is now lit on fire. He then holds it up into the air, sending off smoke.

"Somebody stop him before he burns the whole place down," Ukitake says.

Byakuya and Komamura go over to Mayuri and grab him, then throw him to the ground, holding him down.

"Just what is the meaning of this?" Byakuya asks Mayuri.

"I was trying to send off a smoke signal to the other tribe," Mayuri replies. "I wanted to see if I could make contact with them."

Byakuya pushes Mayuri away. "You clearly have some issues."

He then quickly puts out the fire Mayuri started with some water.

"Hey, wait a minute! I didn't get to see if I made contact or not!"

"Clearly Captain Kurotsuchi needs help of some sort," Byakuya comments. "I don't understand what he was exactly trying to prove, but I think it's going to lead to his ultimate demise."

Day 20

Ryoka Tribe

(Orihime, Rukia, Renji, Tatsuki, Yoruichi)

The tribe is eating some rice that morning, when Yoruichi brings up an interesting topic.

"We didn't have a reward challenge yesterday," she comments.

"That's strange," Tatsuki responds. "Maybe Urahara just forgot."

"Or maybe he has some sort of crazy twist up his sleeve," Rukia adds.

"This could throw off everything," Renji says. "If there is something unexpected, it could end up result in our tribe being decimated even faster."

Captains Tribe

(Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Unohana, Byakuya, Komamura, Shunsui, Kenpachi, Mayuri, Ukitake)

It is a little later, in the early afternoon, and Unohana has picked up some mail.

"We didn't get any yesterday, but we got some today," Unohana tells the rest of the tribe.

"Let me read that," Kenpachi says, snatching it off her.

"Both tribes will have to vote

There is no choice to note

The only question will be

Which ones will have immunity."

"That makes no sense at all," Ukitake comments. "If we both have to vote, who will get immunity?"

"I guess we'll just have to see," Shunsui replies.

Immunity Challenge

"Come on in, guys!"

The two tribes walk into the immunity challenge area, noticing a bunch of 1-foot-high stumps in two rows.

"Ryoka, getting your first look at the new Captains tribe, Toshiro Hitsugaya voted out last Tribal Council."

Rukia looks a little surprised, but the other Ryoka members do not give any response.

"First things first, I'll take back the immunity plushie."

Rukia tosses Kon to Urahara.

"Thank you," Urahara states. "For this challenge, you will not be playing for team immunity. Both tribes are going to vote, so you will be playing for individual immunity."

He pulls out a couple of necklaces with a metal flame with a skull logo in the middle.

"Each tribe will have one immunity necklace up for grabs. The challenge is simple. Everyone will stand on these stumps, and whichever player stays on his or her stump after all the others on his or her tribe have stepped off, wins immunity. Make sense?"

"Yes," the players reply.

"Everyone get to your stumps, and wait for my go."

The players all go over to their stumps, then as Urahara signals, they simulatenously step on to their stumps.

"This challenge is underway."

None of the players budge for about half an hour, when Yamamoto steps off gingerly.

"Yamamoto is out of this challenge!"

As he sees Yamamoto step down, Shunsui decides to join him, taking a step down. Ukitake decides to join both of them, stepping down as well.

"Shunsui and Ukitake are both out as well!"

The nervous Ryoka tribe members hold fast to their spots, not wanting to have the chance of being voted out. Meanwhile, the Captains all seem to be pretty confident that they will not be voted out, so they are not as determined to stay on their spots. An hour into the challenge, Mayuri steps down from his stump.

"Mayuri's out!"

It takes about another half hour or so for another player to step down, when Kenpachi loses his balance and drops to the sand.

"Kenpachi is out of this challenge now!"

About fifteen minutes later, the first member of the Ryoka tribe steps down, as Orihime's legs feel weak, so she steps down.

"Orihime, the first Ryoka out!"

Over the next half hour, Byakuya, Komamura, Tatsuki and Rukia all drop out, leaving only Soi Fon and Unohana for the Captains, and Yoruichi and Renji for the Ryoka.

"This is where your legs get tense," Urahara taunts the players. "This is to remain immune from a big upcoming vote."

It takes an hour for any player to step down. That is when Soi Fon finally gives in to her aching legs and hops off the stump.

"Soi Fon's out, which means Unohana wins immunity!"

Unohana steps down delicately from her stump, walking over to Kenpachi, who is smiling at her.

"Meanwhile, down to the final two Ryoka members. Who will stick it out, Yoruichi or Renji?"

Yoruichi stands with her arms crossed, not showing a bit of weakness. Renji stares blankly at Urahara, not caring what he is saying, as he focuses on staying upright. More time passes.

"Okay, you've been standing up there for over four hours! Who is going to break?"

Finally, one of the Ryoka players slips and falls off the stump unceremoniously.

"Yoruichi is out! Renji wins immunity!"

Renji jumps off his stump with excitement, celebrating his victory. Yoruichi looks frustrated, while Tatsuki and Orihime look sadly at each other.

"Congratulations, Unohana and Renji, here are your immunity necklaces."

Urahara puts the necklaces around Unohana and Renji's necks.

"Captains, you can head back to camp for a short while, but you'll be seeing me tonight for Tribal. Ryoka, you can head back to camp; you'll be visiting me tomorrow night."

The tribes walk back to their camps.

"Winning that challenge did not take much effort," Unohana says. "But I'm still glad I have immunity and do not have to worry about this vote."

Captains Tribe

(Yamamoto, Soi Fon, Unohana, Byakuya, Komamura, Shunsui, Kenpachi, Mayuri, Ukitake)

Shunsui gathers together with Soi Fon, Byakuya, Komamura, Ukitake and Yamamoto.

"So, Old Man Yama, who are we going to vote out?"

"We must vote out the most troublesome member of this tribe!"

"And who would that be?" Ukitake replies.

Yamamoto whispers a name to the other four.

"Very well," Shunsui states. "He's out of here."

Meanwhile, Kenpachi talks with Unohana.

"Who do you think they're picking to vote out?" he asks her. "Either me or Captain Kurotsuchi, right?"

"I guess," Unohana replies. "Captain Zaraki, I really hope it isn't you."

"Me too."

Tribal Council

(Captains)

The Captains walk into the Tribal Council area with their torches ablaze, then set them down in their designated area. They sit down in their seats across from Urahara, who wears a wily smile as he addresses them.

"You didn't see this one coming – both tribes forced to vote someone out. Is this good or bad for your tribe, Soi Fon?"

"Obviously we believe we could have defeated the Ryoka in whatever challenge you could have thrown at us, so of course it's not good. We would have rather continued to wipe them out."

"Only two days after the most recent vote. Komamura, has there been a lot of time to think about who you want to vote out?"

"No, I can't say so," the fox replies. "We were truly expecting to come out and rout the Ryoka again, and not have to worry about voting for a while.

"So this vote could be a total mystery. Any names popping up, Byakuya?"

"There have been names mentioned, but I will not disclose them."

"Well, the only other name that came up besides Toshiro's in the last Tribal Council was Mayuri's, who received Toshiro's vote. Does that concern you, Mayuri?"

"I couldn't care less about what that white-haired pipsqueak thought of me," Mayuri responds. "It's about what this tribe thinks of me."

"And what do they think of me?"

"I think they think that I'm helpful to the camp. But what do I know, that's just what I think they think. Maybe they think something else."

"Well, we're about to find out what they think, and not what you think they think, as we prepare for the vote. First things first, Unohana, you have the immunity necklace. You may choose to give it to someone else, or hold onto it yourself."

"As much as it pains me to do this, I will hold on to it."

"Very well then. It is time to vote. Byakuya, you're up first."

Byakuya goes to vote.

Kenpachi goes to vote.

"I'm voting for you, Captain Kurotsuchi, since you seem to cause trouble around camp, and I hope the others will recognize this as well," Kenpachi says.

Komamura goes to vote.

Mayuri goes to vote.

"Captain Zaraki, you're just too wild for this tribe, and that's why I think you've got to go," Mayuri says.

Shunsui goes to vote.

Soi Fon goes to vote.

Ukitake goes to vote.

Unohana goes to vote.

Yamamoto goes to vote.

"I'll go tally the votes."

Urahara gathers the votes, then returns to the players.

"Once the votes are read, the decision is final, and the person voted out will be asked to return to the world of the living immediately. I'll read the votes."

He pulls out the first vote.

"Captain Zaraki."

He takes out the second vote.

"Captain Kurotsuchi."

He opens up the third vote.

"Captain Kurotsuchi."

Mayuri feels uneasy seeing his name come up a second time.

"Captain Kurotsuchi. That's three votes Mayuri, one vote Kenpachi."

Urahara opens up the next vote.

"Captain Kurotsuchi. Four votes Mayuri, one vote Kenpachi."

Mayuri is annoyed as Urahara pulls out the next vote.

"Sixth person voted out of Survivor: Hueco Mundo, Mayuri Kurotsuchi. You need to bring me your torch."

"No more experiments to help you out!" Mayuri yells at the others. "Miss me yet?"

He then goes over and gets his torch, then holds it out in front of Urahara.

"Mayuri, the tribe has spoken."

Urahara snuffs out Mayuri's torch.

"It's time for you to go."

Mayuri walks through the gate to the world of the living.

"This tribe seems to be very united. Let's see if it stays that way as this game continues. Grab your torches, head back to camp, good night."

The players take their torches and start their trek back towards their camp.

"It's not fair, I really helped out the tribe, and yet they push me out the door?" Mayuri says. "Well, I don't have time for that stupid game anyway. Time for more experimenting!"

Who voted for whom:

Byakuya – Mayuri

Kenpachi – Mayuri

Komamura – Mayuri

Mayuri – Kenpachi

Shunsui – Mayuri

Soi Fon – Mayuri

Ukitake – Mayuri

Unohana – Mayuri

Yamamoto – Mayuri

Day 21

Ryoka Tribe

(Orihime, Rukia, Renji, Tatsuki, Yoruichi)

"We are in a dilemma," Tatsuki says. "The general plan was to vote out Renji, but now that has been thrown out the window. I'm guessing we have to go with Yoruichi now."

Tatsuki talks with Orihime over her voting strategy.

"We have to vote out Yoruichi, we have no choice," Tatsuki tells her. "Then we have to hope that we don't have another scenario like this one, or else we'll be in big trouble."

"I wish we could vote out Renji," Orihime sighs.

"I do too," Tatsuki replies. "But it's either Yoruichi or Rukia."

"No! I won't vote for Rukia!" Orihime protests.

"So you see how it has to go."

Meanwhile, Yoruichi has noticed that the rest of the tribe has separated themselves from her. She begins thinking about her only option.

"I have only one hope, and it's this," she says.

She pulls out her immunity plushie.

"I must use this immunity plushie tonight. I have no choice, as I expect everyone will be voting for me. The question is, who do I vote for?"

She pauses, trying to think of who to vote out.

"Rukia has been an excellent leader of this tribe, so I do not want to vote her out. Instead, I'd rather vote for either Tatsuki or Orihime… if I had the option, I'd vote for Renji, but obviously that's not going to happen."

Renji and Rukia begin to have a heated discussion about who to vote out.

"I'm telling you, we've got to vote out Tatsuki," Renji tells Rukia.

"I won't vote out Tatsuki," Rukia responds. "She's in my alliance."

"Rukia, this is our little two-person alliance now," Renji states. "We don't need Tatsuki. She's struggled in nearly every challenge."

"Ridiculous," Rukia replies. "She isn't that bad."

"Remember the Hollow-killing challenge?"

Rukia pauses for a moment.

"I guess you're right."

"Of course I'm right. Now we've got to vote her out."

"You know, Renji, how am I supposed to trust you? I thought you and Ichigo teamed up to put me out of the game just a little while ago."

"Well, times have changed."

"Yeah, times have changed since you have this thing around your neck," Rukia says, pulling on his immunity necklace.

"Rukia, you need me just as much as I need you. So let's make the vote for Tatsuki."

Rukia sighs, beginning to think. She then comes up with a solution.

"I'm only going to vote for Tatsuki if I know I can truly trust you. Right now I'm just being forced to vote for her because you're in the position of power."

"Trust me, Rukia. I'll keep you safe as long as you vote this way."

"I need to have some proof that I can trust you."

"What kind of proof?"

"Well, let's see…"

She tugs on Renji's immunity necklace.

"How about this? If you give me your immunity necklace, then I'll vote for Tatsuki."

"Give it to you? No way, I earned it."

"Then maybe I can't trust you."

"Rukia, it's mine, if you want one, you win one."

"This is an issue of trust, Renji. If you can't give me something small like this, then I won't be able to vote with you."

"It's not small! It's immunity!"

"It won't matter if we have three votes, yours, mine and Yoruichi's."

"Rukia, you can trust me… you don't need the necklace to know that."

Tribal Council

(Ryoka)

The Ryoka tribe members walk into the Tribal Council area, set their torches down, and take their seats across from Urahara.

"Well, not what you guys were expecting, was it?" Urahara asks. "You thought you could go on a run of immunities against the Captains, but instead you're back here after a short absence."

"It's really not fair," Tatsuki complains. "We couldn't do anything to avoid having to come back here. After tonight, we'll be down to only four members, and that makes things almost hopeless for us if and when a merge occurs."

"Renji, you are in a powerful position tonight," Urahara states. "You have the immunity necklace. How does that affect your strategy?"

"Well, I've been pushing for my way a little more than I would have if I did not have it," Renji replies.

"How so?"

"Rukia and I had a disagreement on who to vote for. She wanted one person, I wanted another. But she has begun to see things my way."

"Is this true, Rukia?"

"You know, Kisuke, it's a trust issue with Renji," Rukia responds. "My name was written down by the pineapple himself, and he wants me to vote with him now. I don't know how much I can trust him."

"Trust me, Rukia, you can trust me," Renji says.

Yoruichi and Tatsuki giggle at Renji's redundant comment.

"I made an agreement with Renji that if he would give up his immunity necklace, I would vote with him," Rukia states.

"We never made that agreement, Rukia."

"Well, perhaps I'll go back on my decision."

"Rukia, it's for your best that you vote with me."

"I'll see about that."

Urahara smiles. "The other three of you, you seem to be sitting here completely at the mercy of Renji and Rukia. Is that the way you feel, Orihime?"

"I'm nervous," Orihime responds.

"Orihime, you have nothing to worry about," Tatsuki tells Orihime. She then turns to Urahara. "Mr. Urahara, the one who is most in danger is myself. Clearly I know Rukia doesn't want to vote for me, but that's who Renji is trying to convince her to vote for. If the three of Yoruichi, Renji and Rukia vote for me, then I'm a goner. I have to hope Rukia stays true to her original alliance and instead votes with us."

"And if Rukia keeps with your alliance, what does that mean?"

"It means she's voting for me," Yoruichi breaks in.

"So it seems that the vote will come down to Yoruichi or Tatsuki, with Rukia in the middle as the deciding vote. Perhaps you are in the position of power, Rukia."

"Yes, and I know how to use my power."

"Okay, Renji, you have the individual immunity necklace. You may keep it or give it to someone, including Rukia."

Renji sighs. "Rukia, you've talked me into it. You're in the position of power after all. Here's the necklace."

Renji takes off his necklace and puts it around Rukia's neck. Rukia smiles with glee. Orihime, Tatsuki and Yoruichi look on with amazement.

"Suddenly, you are safe, Rukia. The rest of you, one of you is going home, and it is time to vote. Orihime, you're up first."

Orihime goes to vote.

Renji goes to vote.

"With your vote, Rukia, Tatsuki is going home tonight," Renji says.

Rukia goes to vote.

Tatsuki goes to vote.

Yoruichi goes to vote.

"I'll go tally the votes."

Urahara gathers the votes, takes the voting box with him, then returns to where the players are.

"Once the votes are read, the decision is final, and the person voted out will be asked to return to the world of the living immediately. I'll read the votes."

He pulls out the first vote.

"Tatsuki."

Tatsuki looks upset as she sees her name come up.

"Renji."

Renji looks a bit surprised to see his name.

"Renji. That's two votes Renji, one vote Tatsuki, two votes left."

Renji begins looking around in shock. He then sees Rukia's face, and he can tell that she is trying to hold herself back from laughing.

"Seventh person voted out of Survivor: Hueco Mundo, Renji Abarai. That's three, that's enough, you need to bring me your torch."

"Rukia, how could you?" Renji screams.

Rukia simply puts her hand over her mouth and giggles. The other three also smile as Renji gets up in a fit of rage.

"All this crap about trusting me, and here the whole time I couldn't trust you!"

Rukia does not say a word, as Renji goes over to pick up his torch. He holds it out in front of Urahara with anger.

"Renji, the tribe has spoken."

Urahara snuffs out Renji's torch with his snuffer.

"It's time for you to go."

Renji gives Rukia an angry glare before walking into the gate to the world of the living.

"I think that is what you call a life lesson," Urahara states. "Grab your torches, head back to camp, good night."

The players take their torches and head towards their camp.

"Rukia!" Renji says. "I can't believe it! She tricked me! I thought for sure she saw things my way, but here the whole time she was scheming to get me voted out! I shouldn't have trusted her for one moment. She got me all worried about whether she trusted me, and here the whole time I should have been thinking about whether I should trust her. Unbelievable!"

Who voted for whom:

Orihime – Renji

Renji – Tatsuki

Rukia – Renji

Tatsuki – Renji

Yoruichi – Renji

Scenes from our next episode:

Another twist emerges:

It is later in the day, and Tatsuki and Orihime are over at the place where they usually receive mail. Nothing is there.

"This is the third time we've checked here today," Tatsuki says. "Are we in for another twist?"

The challenge goes on and on:

"Still, five people in this challenge! Will it ever end?"

And on and on:

"We have now reached nine hours of this challenge, and it is getting late!"