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

Erika

Haruhi Suzumiya

Kyon

Light Yagami

Meilin

Misato Katsuragi

Rangiku Matsumoto

Ryoko

Chapter 9

We Should Have Known

Day 25

Bankai Tribe

The tribe is eating their rice, discussing the events of the previous night, with Haruhi eating away from the rest of the tribe.

"We should have known she would use that plushie," Misato comments.

"She isn't as dumb as she looks," Rangiku adds.

"But you have to admit, it was good to flush out the plushie," Ryoko remarks.

"At what cost?" Misato asks. "At the cost of taking Kaji out of the game? Which ones of you voted for Kaji?"

"It was Ryoko and me," Light says. "We prepared just in case she used the plushie. Then I guess Haruhi chose to take out Kaji herself… that was her choice, not ours."

"What are you upset about?" Ryoko asks. "We kept you in the game longer by taking out your pal Kaji."

"That's not what I'm upset about," Misato replies. "I'm upset because you went about it in an underhanded fashion. We discussed voting out Haruhi, then you guys vote out Kaji and Kyon and Meilin go after me!"

"I never promised to vote out Haruhi," Kyon remarks. "I heard that it was a possibility, but you guys came up with that while we were gone. We figured she'd play it, so we used our votes for you as a safety blanket."

"So last night half the tribe went back on their word to vote out Haruhi," Misato says. "Two of them went after Kaji, and two of them went after me. Obviously none of these other alliances can be trusted, because outside of our alliance of three only Erika kept her word."

"Look, it doesn't matter now," Ryoko says. "Just calm down. Someone had to go because of Haruhi's plushie. Just be glad it wasn't you."

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

Light stares at Kyon, who looks surprised.

"What?" Kyon asks.

"I'm looking at you, because I bet you told her to use her plushie," Light says.

"Why would I do that?" Kyon asks.

"You and her have a connection outside of this game, and you want her to remain here as long as possible," Light replies. "So you let her know of the situation, then planned on taking out Misato as a backup plan. Your plan backfired thanks to us. Misato should be angry at you guys, not us."

"I'm mad at all of you!" Misato yells, as she stomps off.

"Mark my words, I'm writing down Haruhi's name next time," Kyon says. "I want to win this game too."

"So why did you let her know that she should use the plushie?" Light asks.

"Because… I'll admit it, I wanted to take out Misato," Kyon remarks. "I'm sorry."

"Well, you've been given a second chance thanks to our votes, so maybe you can make up for it this time by actually following through with the plan," Light says. "If not, everyone's going to know that you and Meilin cannot be trusted."

"Light's trying to turn this all on me, when in reality he did the same thing that I did, prepared for Haruhi to use the plushie," Kyon says. "You know, that's part of the game, being prepared for the unexpected. He and I thought alike, but he's acting like he's right and I'm wrong."

"This is working out just as planned," Light says. "We got a bit lucky when Haruhi chose to take out Kaji, and I still don't know why she did. It would have been just as well had she taken out Misato, though. Neither of those players are necessary for our game. The point was to eliminate someone unnecessary in that vote, then move on and get rid of Haruhi before getting into the meat of the game."

Misato goes over to talk alone with Rangiku about the situation.

"Light lied to us, and Kyon can't be trusted," Misato comments. "What do we do?"

"I've known Kyon can't be trusted for a long time now," Rangiku replies. "But time and time again he has escaped with his Meilin, even when someone in his alliance won a fire-making challenge. So luck is on his side."

"We can't make judgments based on luck," Misato remarks. "We have to choose right now where we stand in this tribe, whether it is with the liar Light or whether it is with the untrustable Kyon."

"I think we stay the course and eliminate Haruhi next," Rangiku says. "That vote will determine a lot about this tribe. If we see someone go back on voting out Haruhi again, we'll know to pounce on them the next time."

Survivor Auction

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

The players take their seats on stumps around Jet and a table.

"Welcome to the Survivor Auction," Jet says. "Each of you receives a credit card with 500 Woolongs. These are completely useless outside of the game, so make sure you use as many of these as possible in this auction."

He puts out the first item for bidding.

"It's a nice, large, juicy steak," Jet states. "We'll start the bidding at 20 Woolongs and we will bid in 20 Woolong increments."

"20!" Ryoko shouts.

"40!" Meilin yells.

"60," Kyon says.

"200," Light states.

"Light, jumping all the way to 200," Jet remarks. "Anyone want to bid higher?"

"300!" Ryoko shouts.

"400," Light replies with a smile.

"Fine, all 500!" Ryoko yells.

"Ryoko, using up all her Woolongs on the first item!" Jet exclaims. "It… is… sold! Come get it!"

Ryoko takes her steak and begins to eat it.

"Next item… a box of Pocky," Jet says.

"20," Kyon says.

"100!" Meilin shouts.

"120!" Haruhi yells.

"200!" Meilin exclaims.

"220!" Haruhi shouts.

"Frantic bidding all over," Jet comments. "Want to beat that, Meilin?"

"Yes…" Meilin says. "I'll put all 500 on the line."

"All 500!" Jet exclaims. "And it… is… sold! Come take it!"

As Meilin begins eating her Pocky, Jet looks at her with amazement.

"Spending it all, on some Pocky," Jet says. "Now, next item up for bids, a large chocolate cake."

"500!" Haruhi yells.

"Not even going to wait for others to bid, putting it all on the line!" Jet shouts. "And it… is… sold! Come get it, Haruhi!"

Haruhi takes her cake and begins to eat it.

"The next item will remain a mystery," Jet says, pulling out a package. "Let's start the bidding."

"I'll gamble on it," Kyon says. "All 500."

"Okay, here it is," Jet states. "It's a piece of paper. Open it and see what it has to say."

Kyon walks up and picks up the piece of paper.

"Pick one player to send to Exile and take all their Woolongs," Kyon reads. "Okay, that'll be you, Misato."

Misato groans as she hands over her credit card to Light.

"You didn't gain anything out of it, but you do end up sending someone to Exile," Jet says. "Here's a map, Misato. You will return in time for the next immunity challenge."

"Thanks, Kyon," Misato says as she takes the map and walks away.

Jet grins. "Lots of high bidding, this is the kind of auction I like to see!" he exclaims. "The next item will also remain a mystery."

"Why not," Kyon comments. "I'll go with all 500 again."

"Okay, come up and open it up," Jet states.

Kyon walks up and picks up the package, opening it up to reveal an autographed photo of Jet.

"We give out one of these each season, and you're the lucky winner this time," Jet states. "Congratulations."

Kyon groans as he takes the photo back to his seat.

"All right, I've got a big ticket item here, but it will remain a secret," Jet says. "You may start-"

"500!" Erika, Light and Rangiku shout simultaneously.

"This is ridiculous," Jet remarks. "What kind of auction is it when everyone's just going all-out, bidding whatever they've got? Well, it doesn't bother me any. All 3 of you can share this final item."

He opens up the package to reveal a gigantic feast.

"All right, you three can enjoy this feast together!" Jet exclaims.

Erika hugs Light happily, while Light gives a high five to Rangiku. Then they go over to enjoy their feast.

"And this Survivor Auction is… over!" Jet exclaims.

Exile

Misato takes her seat in the dark cave. She is frustrated by her teammates' decisions from the previous vote, as well as being disappointed about not getting anything out of the Survivor Auction.

"This has been one of the worst periods for me out here, ever since Maes got voted out," Misato says. "I do have an ally in Rangiku, but that makes only two of us, and even after Haruhi is gone there will be 5 opponents to go up against. Either we'll ally with one side or another, that will be our only choice. Right now it seems to me that Light's group may be the side to go with, we'll just have to wait and see."

She lays down in the cave, hating every moment that she is in there, while just sighing at her recent misfortune. She does not even think to look for a plushie, just in case there was a new one planted in the cave.

Bankai Tribe

"Well, that was worth it," Ryoko comments.

"Most importantly," Light says, making sure Haruhi cannot hear him, "we got someone at Exile besides Haruhi, so now if there is a new plushie in the game, she's got it."

"What does this mean, Light?" Erika asks, hanging on to his arm.

"I'll let you in on a secret later, after the immunity challenge," Light says in a whisper. "Only you two can know about it… it will be something to help our standing in this game for the long run."

Day 26

Rangiku goes over to talk to Kyon and Meilin during the afternoon, as they are eating some rice.

"Would you be willing to set up a new alliance between us people from the old Gotei tribe?" Rangiku asks. "We could surprise Light if we did so."

"The alliance has already started, in fact," Kyon replies. "With the decision to take out Haruhi, I'm abandoning any hope of getting along with her, and simply going along with you in our new alliance."

"Great," Rangiku responds. "Then it can be us four – including Misato – to take out Light's three."

"Light's the most untrustworthy player in this game," Kyon says. "He made up that plan to vote out Haruhi last time, then went back on it."

"We never were in on the plan, Rangiku, that's the difference," Meilin adds.

"I understand," Rangiku replies. "Right now, we've just got to lay low and go along with the plan to take out Haruhi, before we pounce on our opportunity."

Meanwhile, Erika is trying to find out information about the plan that Light has.

"I don't want to give it away too soon, if the beans get spilled, it could spell our doom," Light tells her. "But here's a hint: it has to do with planting seeds of paranoia and fear in order that we might get our way later on in the game."

"You're so smart, Light," Erika replies, hugging him closely.

"Thank you, Erika," Light says. "Remember, the two of us will stay together no matter what… I promise no matter what not to write your name down. You are such a wonderful human being, someone I'd love to have beside me for the rest of my life."

"Oh, Light…" Erika replies.

Immunity Challenge

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

The players walk into the immunity challenge area.

"We now bring in Misato, returning from Exile," Jet declares.

Misato walks in, joining her tribemates, as they embrace her.

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

Ryoko collapses to the ground amidst the laughter of all her tribemates. Jet then takes the Immunity Beads of Subjugation off her neck.

"Once again, immunity is back up for grabs," Jet declares. "Let's get to today's immunity challenge. Each of you will race into the forest to pick up bags of letters, as you will pick up the bags with your corresponding color. Once you have all three bags, you will open them up and use the letters to write a phrase. The first person to write the correct phrase wins immunity and a guaranteed 1-in-7 shot at winning this game. We'll draw for positions, and then get started."

After the players draw for their positions and colors, they line up at the starting line.

"For immunity!" Jet shouts. "Survivors ready, go!"

The players take off into the woods, collecting their bags as they go. Rangiku and Light are the first to get their first bags, and they begin bringing them back to the starting line.

"Rangiku and Light have an early lead!" Jet shouts. "Right behind them are Kyon and Haruhi!"

Light leads the group back into the woods, but Haruhi is hot on his heels, and she gets her second bag.

"Haruhi, coming back with her second bag!" Jet yells. "Here comes Light and Kyon with their second bag!"

Some of the other players are way behind at this point, and Jet gleefully points it out.

"Erika, not even close to being in this challenge, still hasn't even found her first bag yet!" Jet announces.

Meanwhile, Haruhi grabs her third bag and brings it back, with Rangiku, Light and Kyon following her back to the starting line.

"Open up those bags and get working on the puzzle phrase!" Jet shouts. "We've got four players in this challenge!"

The players begin trying to spell out the phrase, hoping to get it right as soon as possible. Haruhi sees words such as "Immune" and "You," but she cannot figure it out.

"You have to have the whole phrase right in order to win!" Jet yells.

"I think I have it," Kyon says.

"Kyon thinks he has it!" Jet shouts.

Jet takes a look at Kyon's phrase.

"Kyon… is… wrong!" Jet yells.

"I think I have it!" Light exclaims.

"Let's see if Light has it," Jet comments.

Jet sees the phrase "YOU'VE WON IMMUNITY" that Light has spelled out.

"Light is right! Light wins immunity!" Jet announces.

Haruhi throws her arms up in frustration while Light celebrates. All the players then gather for the awarding of the Immunity Beads of Subjugation.

"Congratulations," Jet states, putting the Immunity Beads of Subjugation around Light's neck. "You are safe from tomorrow night's vote. The rest of you, after 27 days, someone is going home."

The players begin their trek back to camp.

"The most important thing today was keeping immunity away from Haruhi," Light says. "As long as she doesn't have it, who cares who has it?"

Bankai Tribe

Kyon and Meilin talk with Misato and Rangiku about their voting plans that evening.

"It's Haruhi, right?" Kyon asks.

"Yes," Misato says. "We are going to take her out while we can."

"If she had won immunity, we would have had to go after someone in Light's group," Meilin comments.

"That's where we'll have to go next," Kyon adds.

Day 27

That afternoon, Light goes over a change in plans with Erika and Ryoko.

"We need to rethink our voting strategy tonight," he tells them.

"What do you mean, Light?" Erika asks.

"Haruhi is still going tonight," Light says. "But, in order to put some fear into Misato, we need to give her a couple of votes."

"Why?" Ryoko asks. "All that's going to do is make her mad."

"In case we have a tie later, it could be advantageous to have extra votes against Misato, as she is going to be our next target," Light comments. "She already is planning to vote against us next time, so if we get a couple votes against her, that could help us if one of us ended in a tie with her."

"That's highly unlikely," Ryoko replies.

"But, here's the kicker," Light remarks. "The most important thing about this vote is the feeling of security, that Haruhi is going home. But, why not make Misato feel paranoid when she sees her name come up a couple of times? She will then possibly make a bad move that will cost her her spot in this game."

"I guess it's worth it," Ryoko says. "I just hope you know what you're doing."

"Erika will still vote for Haruhi, just in case Haruhi puts in her vote for Misato," Light says. "If there were four votes against Misato, then it could end up in a tie, and who knows what could happen then… we don't want that to happen."

"All right, so it's the two of us voting for Misato, and Erika voting for Haruhi," Ryoko says. "I really hope this doesn't backfire on us."

"Trust me, it won't," Light replies. "I have everything under control."

"Light is a mastermind," Ryoko says. "He's coming up with all these sub-strategies and crazy scenarios, preparing for every possibility. Right now I'm just going along with him because he's got me a long way already, but I'm going to be careful that he doesn't backstab me later."

Tribal Council

The players walk into the Tribal Council area with their torches burning brightly, as they go and set them down before taking their places across from Jet.

"We'll now bring in the members of our jury," Jet states. "Rei, and Kaji, voted out last Tribal Council."

Kaji waves at Misato, who waves back.

"Let's talk about the way things have been around camp," Jet says. "Have there been any signs to a particular player being voted out, Kyon?"

"Yes, there have," Kyon states. "One person is the target and she knows it. She got herself into this situation by refusing to align with anyone."

"So it's clear to everyone who this person is?" Jet asks.

"Yes," Kyon answers.

"Well, then you might as well just tell me who it is," Jet replies.

"It's Haruhi," Kyon says.

Haruhi scowls at Kyon.

"You know it, Haruhi, everyone's gunning for you," Kyon tells her. "You could have avoided this by aligning yourself with someone, particularly Meilin and me, but you refused."

"I don't want to have alliances, I want to play this game my own way!" Haruhi protests.

"Haruhi, does it concern you that people may not like the fact that you don't want to align with them?" Jet questions.

"Perhaps, but I don't really care," Haruhi responds. "I have my own plan in place."

"And that is…?" Jet wonders.

"I'm not telling you!" Haruhi exclaims.

"All right, all right!" Jet says. "Now, Misato, anyone come to you with the thought that maybe there are multiple immunity plushies in this game, and that you may have found one of them?"

"No, no one's talked about that possibility," Misato replies.

"Does that concern you, that perhaps you could be set up for a blindside?" Jet asks.

"No, because everyone knows who's going tonight," Misato says. "If there was another immunity plushie, I didn't find it."

"Light, you willing to believe Misato that she doesn't have the plushie?" Jet asks.

"You have to trust your tribemates at least to some extent, and I trust her on this one," Light replies.

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

"I'm going to allow Erika to have them," Light says.

He takes off the Immunity Beads of Subjugation and puts them around Erika's neck, as she smiles warmly.

"Okay, suddenly, you are safe, Erika," Jet states. "The rest of you, someone's going home, and we're about to find out whom. Erika, you're up first."

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

Erika goes to vote.

"Sorry, Haruhi, but I have to vote for someone," Erika says.

Haruhi goes to vote.

Kyon goes to vote.

"Finally, the rank-and-file member of the SOS Brigade pulls one over one its leader," Kyon says. "Please don't create any closed space over this."

Light goes to vote.

Meilin goes to vote.

Misato goes to vote.

Rangiku goes to vote.

Ryoko goes to vote.

"Fear and loathing, I guess that's what Light wants," Ryoko says.

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

Jet goes to the voting booth, rearranges the votes, picks up the voting urn, then returns to the players.

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

Everyone looks at Misato, save for Haruhi, who is reaching into her bag. She then pulls out a plushie that looks like the modsoul Kurodo and tosses it to Jet. The other players look at her in shock as they see what has happened.

"The rules of Survivor state that if an immunity plushie is played, all votes against that person do not count, and the person with the second-highest number of votes is eliminated," Jet explains. "This is an immunity plushie."

Haruhi begins to cheer while the other players look on in amazement.

"All votes cast against Haruhi do not count," Jet says. "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."

Jet pulls out a vote for Haruhi.

"Haruhi, does not count," he states.

He pulls out another vote for Haruhi.

"Haruhi, does not count," he says.

The players look on as he pulls out yet another vote for Haruhi.

"Haruhi, does not count," he states.

Kyon puts his hand over his forehead in frustration.

"Haruhi, again, does not count," Jet says.

Jet pulls out the next vote.

"Haruhi, still, does not count," Jet says. "No votes for anyone yet."

He pulls out the next vote and opens it.

"Kyon," Jet states. "One vote Kyon."

A big smile forms on Haruhi's face. She is sure that she has gotten back at Kyon for voting for her.

Jet pulls out the next vote. "Misato," he says, much to the surprise of many of the players. "That's one vote Misato, one vote Kyon, one vote left."

Jet pulls out the final vote and opens it extremely slowly. "Seventeenth person voted out of Survivor: Seireitei Forest, and the third member of our jury," he announces. "Misato Katsuragi. That's two, that's enough, you need to bring me your torch."

Misato gets up slowly, looking around at her fellow tribe members, trying to figure out who voted her out. She then takes her torch and brings it over to Jet.

"Misato, the tribe has spoken," Jet states, snuffing out her torch with his snuffer. "It's time for you to go."

Misato waves to her fellow players before passing through the gate to the world of the living.

"Tonight, everyone thought they had it figured out, and it appears everyone was wrong," Jet says. "A very common thing to happen in this game. Grab your torches, head back to camp, good night."

The players go and get their torches before heading back towards their camp.

"Shocking," Misato says. "I think Light was behind this, but I don't know to what extent. No one knew that Haruhi had more than one plushie, so I don't know how Light had the foresight to vote for me. Otherwise Kyon would be headed home right now. Very bizarre circumstances, that's for sure."

(Who voted for whom:

Erika – Haruhi

Haruhi – Kyon

Kyon – Haruhi

Light – Misato

Meilin – Haruhi

Misato – Haruhi

Rangiku – Haruhi

Ryoko – Misato)

Scenes from our next episode:

A player is immediately threatened to be voted out:

"Kyon, I'm voting you off next time, and there's nothing you can do about it!" she exclaims.

Loved ones come to visit the Survivors:

"First things first," Jet states. "It's been a long time away from home, and I'm sure there are some people who would like to see you. Let's bring them in."

And a different strategy might put someone else in danger:

"Let's vote with Kyon and try to take out the biggest threat in the game," Rangiku tells Meilin.

"And who would that be?" Meilin asks.

"I'm thinking it's Light," Rangiku replies.