The Survivor theme song "Ancient Voices" plays, showing the remaining characters in the game:

Erika

Haruhi Suzumiya

Ryoji Kaji

Kyon

Light Yagami

Meilin

Misato Katsuragi

Rangiku Matsumoto

Ryoko

Chapter 8

She Might Be Dumb Enough

Day 22

Bankai Tribe

The tribe is sitting around eating rice that morning, with some players still a little surprised at the way the vote went.

"I didn't expect you to take out Rei," Kyon says to Haruhi.

"Well, I did," Haruhi replies. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I just don't know if that was the right strategic move for you, that's all," Kyon says.

"I make my own decisions, I don't need you helping me, Kyon," Haruhi responds.

"Haruhi's intent on doing things her way, and that's all well and good to an extent," Kyon says. "But eventually, I expect that will come back to haunt her… and me as well."

Kyon tries talking to Meilin about their situation.

"It's only the two of us left in our alliance," Kyon tells her. "There's an alliance of three with Misato, Kaji and Rangiku, and then there's Light, Erika and Ryoko. We've got to get Haruhi as part of our alliance in order to even things up."

"Why don't we just try joining one of the other alliances?" Meilin asks. "Wouldn't that be to our advantage?"

"Maybe, maybe not," Kyon replies. "Regardless, it would be better for us to have Haruhi on our side."

"Kyon's so obsessed with this Haruhi," Meilin says. "Haruhi, Haruhi, Haruhi. I don't get what's so good about her. We've survived without her for so long, why do we need her help now so badly?"

Light, meanwhile, talks with Erika and Ryoko.

"We took too big of a chance going up against two different alliances last night," Light tells the other two. "It's time for us to choose who we want to ally ourselves with – the Rangiku-Kaji-Misato alliance, or Kyon and Meilin."

"Well, that's obvious," Ryoko responds. "Of course we want to have more votes on our side, so we go with Rangiku's group."

"There's a problem with that, however," Light replies. "As much as that would help us temporarily, we would be in trouble later on when it would be only our two alliances remaining – then they would have a better chance of taking us out."

"So we go with Kyon and Meilin?" Erika asks.

"That's what I'm thinking, but I'm not sure yet," Light comments.

Reward Challenge

"Come on in, guys!" Jet shouts to the players.

The players walk into the reward challenge area.

"It's time for your first individual reward challenge," Jet says. "This one is simple. For this challenge, you will run through a course of trees, and the first one through the course wins reward. Wanna know what you're playing for?"

"Yes!" the players shout.

"Simple challenge, simple reward," Jet states. "The winner gets their own small feast, simple as that. The winner will also get to choose one player to go into Exile. Worth playing for?"

"Yeah!" the players reply.

"Okay, we'll draw for positions and get started," Jet remarks.

The players get to their positions.

"Survivors ready?" Jet shouts. "Go!"

The players begin running through the maze of trees. Almost immediately, Meilin trips and falls down, putting herself way behind in the challenge.

"Meilin's out of it already!" Jet shouts, much to Meilin's chagrin.

Light, Kaji and Kyon have the early leads, making it through the course quickly. Erika falls way out of contention. Ryoko catches up to the leaders, and near the end, it is Kyon against Ryoko, running around the last few trees, with the best chance at winning the challenge.

"It's Kyon and Ryoko, neck and neck, right to the end of this challenge!" Jet yells.

At the finish line, it is close to being a photo finish, but Kyon just edges Ryoko to win.

"Kyon wins reward!" Jet screams.

Kyon pants as he puts his arms in the air in celebration. Ryoko congratulates him as he celebrates.

"Okay, Kyon, two choices to make," Jet says. "You can have one person join you on your feast. Who's it gonna be?"

"Meilin," Kyon replies, as Haruhi crosses her arms.

"Finally, you've got to send someone to Exile," Jet adds. "Who will that be?"

"Haruhi," Kyon says with a laugh, while Haruhi pouts.

"Okay, Haruhi, here's a map to Exile," Jet says. "Have fun there."

Haruhi just scowls upon taking the map.

"The rest of you, I got nothing for you," Jet states. "You can head back to camp."

Reward

Kyon and Meilin enjoy the large assortment of food that is set before them. They continue to talk strategy as they do.

"I sent Haruhi there because she refuses to get along with us," Kyon says. "There's no new plushie there, so it's basically a punishment for her not wanting to join our alliance."

"I don't know if that was the right choice," Meilin replies. "What if she gets angry at you and tries taking revenge on you?"

"She won't," Kyon says. "She's Haruhi. I know her too well, that she wouldn't do something like that."

"So, if we do get her on our side, who will we vote for?" Meilin asks.

"I'm thinking we vote out Misato," Kyon says. "If we put her out of the game, it's possible that Rangiku and Kaji may realign themselves with us and give us an alliance that could take out Light's alliance."

"Interesting pick," Meilin says. "I like it."

Exile

Haruhi stumbles through the dark cave, trying to find a place to rest. She finally finds a rock to sit down upon.

"I wish there was another plushie here, so that Kyon would regret sending me here," she says.

She reaches down, feeling something soft, and figures that no matter what it is, she is adding it to her bag, just in case it could come in useful later.

Bankai Tribe

Kyon and Meilin rejoin their tribe later in the day, and the tribe members refuse to let them have any rice.

"Hey, you already got a lot to eat!" Ryoko exclaims. "You don't need anything more!"

"Fine with us," Kyon replies, while Meilin scowls.

"That's not a way to get along with the rest of your tribe, doing that," Meilin says.

"By the way, we're all voting out Haruhi," Kaji tells Kyon.

"Really?" Kyon says with surprise.

"Yes, she probably has the immunity plushie and we want to flush it out while we can," Light adds. "Plus, she might be dumb enough not to play it."

"Well, I guess we'll join in too," Kyon says.

"They can't be telling the truth," Kyon says. "Would they really risk putting all their alliances' votes against Haruhi, and then put themselves at the mercy of her vote? I don't think so."

Day 23

Light goes over the plan to vote out Haruhi with everyone again, but some have doubts.

"What if she does have the plushie?" Kaji asks. "Then she uses it and votes out whoever she wants."

"Hey, if you want to chicken out of the plan, that's fine," Light says. "Then she'll be able to cruise through this game. But the one way to get the plushie out of the game is by voting her out right here, and right now."

"Besides," Ryoko adds, "who are you going to vote out instead?"

This question catches Kaji off guard. "Okay, I guess you're right," he responds.

"Of course we're right," Ryoko says. "Now don't worry, that girl's too dumb to even think to play her plushie, she'll be out of here in no time."

"My plan doesn't even need to go perfectly to succeed," Light says. "These people don't know who they're playing with."

Immunity Challenge

"Come on in, guys!" Jet Black yells to the players.

The Bankai tribe walks into the immunity challenge area.

"We now bring in Haruhi, returning from Exile," Jet states.

Haruhi walks into the immunity challenge area, holding her bag, while wearing a scowl on her face.

"First things first, I'll take back the Immunity Beads of Subjugation," Jet tells Haruhi. "Sit!"

Haruhi crashes to the ground amongst the laughter of the other players, while Jet walks over to her and takes the beads off her neck.

"Once again, immunity is back up for grabs," Jet says. "Let's get to today's immunity challenge. Each of you will have a bucket. Your goal will to be to fill up your bucket with as many of the cherries in these trees as possible. The player with the most cherries in their bucket at the end of five minutes wins immunity, and a guaranteed 1-in-9 shot at winning this game. Worth playing for?"

"Yeah!" all the players shout.

"Get to the starting line, and we'll get started," Jet states.

All the players go to the starting line and pick a bucket. They then wait for Jet's signal.

"Survivors ready?" Jet screams. "Go!"

The players start their charge into the forest, where they begin climbing into trees and shaking their limbs, trying to force as many cherries to fall as possible. Jet cannot help but point out which players are having a hard time.

"Meilin, really struggling to get those cherries to fall!" Jet shouts. "And Haruhi's also having problems!"

"Oh, shut up, Jet," Haruhi mutters.

As the challenge goes on, the cherries begin to pile up in the players' buckets. Jet then notifies them that the challenge is about to end.

"Five, four, three, two, one, and this challenge is over!" Jet yells. "Kaji, stop shaking that tree!"

Kaji quickly stops shaking the tree, and he joins the other players as they get ready to count the cherries. They then wait for Jet to count all the cherries. After he has counted them, he comes back to them to give them a report of how many cherries each one has.

"Meilin with a pathetic total of 15 cherries," Jet announces. "Haruhi, not much better, with 18 cherries."

The players wait anxiously as Jet reads off the next player on his list.

"Rangiku, 33 cherries, that's not going to win," Jet states. "Erika, 34… still going to come up short."

The other players look at each other nervously, waiting for Jet's announcement.

"Misato, 38 cherries… Kyon 40 cherries, Light 43 cherries," Jet says. "I can let you know that none of you won."

Kaji and Ryoko look at each other nervously.

"One of you ended up with 52, the other with 59," Jet states. "The one of you who got 59 cherries is… Ryoko! Ryoko wins immunity!"

Ryoko celebrates as she hears that she has won.

"Congratulations," Jet says, putting the Immunity Beads of Subjugation around her neck. "You are safe from tomorrow night's vote. The rest of you, someone's going home. You have the next day to figure out who that's gonna be."

The players begin their trek back to camp.

"This further sets Light's plan into motion, a plan that will cause Haruhi to go home, or at least play her plushie," Ryoko says.

Bankai Tribe

"Good job, Ryoko," Misato tells Ryoko, as the tribe eats their rice.

"Thanks," Ryoko replies.

Meanwhile, as they are eating, Kaji whispers something to Light.

"Yes, I know," Light says. "But that's why we'll vote out her buddy Kyon just to be sure."

Kaji nods his head in agreement.

"Haruhi, you're outta here," Kaji says.

Day 24

That afternoon, Haruhi seems to have no clue that there are a bunch of players planning to vote her out. Kyon secretly seeks her out and informs her that the plan of the tribe is to vote her out.

"You'd better use something that you found in that cave," Kyon tells her.

"Oh, what? Do you actually think I found the immunity plushie?" Haruhi asks.

"Come on, there wasn't one in there when I was there, so I know you have it," Kyon replies.

"Well, it's mine, you're not getting it," Haruhi states.

"I'm not asking for it, I'm just telling you, you may want to use it," Kyon says.

"I'll think about it," Haruhi says. "Who told you about this, anyway?"

"Kaji," Kyon tells her.

Later on, Rangiku, Misato and Kaji are making last-minute preparations.

"So, what's going on?" Rangiku asks Kaji.

"The three of us are voting out Haruhi, as is Erika," Kaji tells her. "Then, just in case Haruhi does use her plushie, Light and Ryoko will vote out Kyon."

"Sounds like a good plan to me," Misato says.

"I just hope they keep their word," Rangiku replies.

Tribal Council

The Bankai Tribe walks into the Tribal Council area with their torches ablaze. They set them down in their designated places, then take their seats across from Jet.

"We now bring in the member of our jury," Jet states. "Rei, voted out last Tribal Council.

Rei walks through the gate and waves to her former tribe before taking a seat.

"Let's talk about the reward challenge," Jet says. "Kyon, you picked Meilin to go with you, then sent Haruhi to Exile. Anyone think that you've got an alliance going on there?"

"Everyone knows I have an alliance with Meilin, we've had one since Day 1," Kyon replies. "Haruhi and I get along, but mainly I was just sending her off because I was mad at her."

The rest of the tribe laughs.

"They think it's funny that I keep going there," Haruhi grumbles.

"They do," Jet replies. "However, there is that possibility that an immunity plushie could be found by whoever goes there… and of course you've been there more than most. Have any luck at finding it?"

"Even if I did find it, would I tell you?" Haruhi shoots back.

"Well, I just am curious," Jet says.

"Fine, I'll say it: I have the immunity plushie," Haruhi replies. "Does that make you happy?"

"Yes, in fact it does," Jet laughs. "Now, don't you think that puts you at a greater risk of being voted out?"

"I'm in a great position," Haruhi replies. "If I think they're going to vote me out, I use it. If not, I hang on to it. Simple as that."

"So, do you think your tribe is going to vote you out?" Jet asks.

"The majority of the tribe will not cast their votes for me tonight," Haruhi responds.

"Well, it's pretty clear where Haruhi stands on this issue," Jet says. "She doesn't think she's going home tonight. Light, do you think that's a little bit of overconfidence there?"

"Sure, she's a little overconfident, but you've got to have some trust in this game to succeed," Light answers. "It all comes down to whether you trust the right people."

"Okay, with that, it is time to vote," Jet states. "Ryoko, you have the Immunity Beads of Subjugation, you can keep them or give them to someone else."

"I will keep them, Jet," Ryoko replies.

"Okay," Jet states. "Erika, you're up first."

The Tribal Council theme "Tally the Vote" plays as Erika gets up from her seat.

Erika goes to vote.

Haruhi goes to vote.

"You've plotted to take me out, so now comes your grand exit," Haruhi says, holding up her vote for Kaji.

Kaji goes to vote.

Kyon goes to vote.

"I don't trust that everyone's voting out Haruhi, so this vote is for precautionary reasons," Kyon says, holding up a vote for Misato.

Light goes to vote.

"You're far too trusting," Light says.

Meilin goes to vote.

Misato goes to vote.

"It's about time you and your leadership were sent packing," Misato says, holding up her vote for Haruhi.

Rangiku goes to vote.

"Haruhi, you've caused enough problems around her, finally time for you to go," Rangiku says.

Ryoko goes to vote.

After Ryoko comes back from voting, Jet says, "I'll go tally the votes."

Jet gathers the votes, rearranges them, then returns to the players.

"If anyone has an immunity plushie, and would like to play it, now would be the time to do so," Jet states.

Everyone looks over at Haruhi.

"What?" Haruhi asks.

"Okay," Jet states.

"Wait a minute!" Haruhi exclaims. "I think I will use it, Jet."

She pulls out a plushie out of her bag and tosses it to Jet. Jet catches it and holds it up, revealing it to be the modsoul Ririn.

"If anyone plays an immunity plushie, all votes against that person do not count, and the person with the second-highest number of votes is eliminated," Jet says. "This is an immunity plushie."

Haruhi claps while Light shoots an evil look towards Ryoko.

"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," Jet states. "I'll read the votes."

He pulls out the first vote. "Haruhi, does not count."

He takes out the second vote. "Haruhi, does not count," he says.

He opens the third vote. "Haruhi," he says. "Again, does not count. Still no votes for anyone."

The players look around at each other nervously, save for Haruhi, who is simply smiling.

"Haruhi," Jet reads the next vote. "Does not count. Still no votes for anyone."

He opens up the next vote.

"Misato," he says. "One vote Misato."

He pulls out the next vote and opens it.

"Misato," he says. "That's two votes Misato, three votes left."

Misato starts to get up from her seat.

"Kaji," Jet says, opening up the next vote. "Two votes Misato, one vote Kaji."

Kaji begins to look a bit nervous.

"Kaji," Jet states, reading the next vote. "Two votes Misato, two votes Kaji, one vote left."

Jet takes out the final vote and opens it very slowly.

"Sixteenth person voted out of Survivor: Seireitei Forest, and the second member of our jury," Jet states.

He finally opens up the vote fully.

"Kaji," Jet says. "That's three, that's enough, you need to bring me your torch."

Kaji kisses Misato on the lips before getting up and retrieving his torch.

"Kaji," Jet states, "the tribe has spoken."

He snuffs out Kaji's torch with his snuffer.

"It's time for you to go."

Kaji waves to the tribe, then walks through the gate to the world of the living.

"Clearly tonight's vote was a complete blindside," Jet says. "How many more will come? We'll find out. Grab your torches, head back to camp, good night."

The players take their torches and begin their walk back towards their camp.

"Wow, I didn't see that one coming," Kaji says. "I mean, it was going to be Misato or me, so we obviously were in trouble either way. Light obviously went back on his promise to vote for Kyon, and that's what cost us. Now I'm on the jury, and he will have to pay."

(Who voted for whom:

Erika – Haruhi

Haruhi – Kaji

Kaji – Haruhi

Kyon – Misato

Light – Kaji

Meilin – Misato

Misato – Haruhi

Rangiku – Haruhi

Ryoko – Kaji)

Scenes from our next episode:

It becomes clear which player is the next target:

"Haruhi will be the next to go," Light remarks. "There's nothing anyone can change about that."

Players have a chance to win some goodies at an auction:

"Welcome to the Survivor Auction," Jet says.

And last-second plans may change the result of the vote:

"We need to rethink our voting strategy tonight," Light tells Ryoko and Erika.