(The case is slowly coming together…with less and less suspects (though how Tamahome didn’t get murdered by Miaka last night is beyond me) and more and more information being brought forward…and just as much suspicion around the detectives as well. However, that has to be forgotten for the time being because as the early morning enters and 6 sleepy detectives make their way for their morning duties – and they will get one of their inquries quite early…)

*

Triela: Yuck…

Negi: I thought you said you liked it black…

Triela: Yeah…that’s what I thought as well…

(The black coffee not doing well for Triela, but hey, she’s tried wine before so she can handle it…)

Triela: Well, at least we’re all up this time…though some more awake than others…

(Shot of Aya and Hinata looking like death’s door, whilst Satoshi and Ban seem fine…)

Ban: What’s wrong with you two?

Aya: Too…much…studying…

Hinata: Not…enough…sleep…

(Satoshi chuckles…)

Satoshi: Everyone seems at edge…

Aya: When you have my type of parents, cramming is something that becomes second nature…whether you like it or not…

Satoshi: And you…

Hinata: Playing…catch up…is something I’m used to as well…

(Triela and Negi look over at the two girls as Negi looks over a little…)

Triela: Things still a little uncomfortable between you two?

Negi: It’s…just…well…

Triela: Negi…you’ve went through the worst…just hope nothing more can…

(Suddenly the phone rings on the Investigator panel…)

Triela: What’s this? (answers) Hello Triela here, lead inv…

*A cute voice with a slight French accent answers*

Triela: Yes?

Triela: It always is if it helps to find out who killed your boss…well, your old boss anyway…

Triela: So Sora and you are acting on your own?

(A bit of a pause, but the chipper voice returns…)

(Triela smiles)

Triela: O.K then, we’ll sort this out. We’ll meet you around 11ish O.K?

(The phone hangs up, as at that point, Ken makes his appearance…)

Ken: What was that about?

(Triela smiles again)

Triela: I think a few of your colleagues want to have a word with us…

*

Ken: First order of business. We now know that Tamahome is now innocent from the murder and has been cleared of all suspicion.

(The team nods, as we narrow the suspect pool to 5. And one of them is going to get a huge lookover today…)

Ken: Secondly, it appears that two of my co-workers, Sora Naegino and Rosetta Passel want an audience with a number of the detectives. For the record, I don’t know the reason why…but I certainly thinks it’s important enough to warrant investigation.

(Ken looks over in the direction of Hinata and Aya)

Ken: Can you ladies handle that?

(Despite the tired eyes (Inside HQ explains more) Hinata and Aya give an affirmative nod as they will be doing one inquiry as Ken looks over at the three gentlemen (well, I’d say Negi is, and Satoshi is on the higher scale, but Ban? Nuff said…)

Ken: You three however…are going over to the Hoshinos place. Anna is certainly there is something more than meets the eye, we’ve spoken with Seta and Anna, and Duplica is a focus certainly in the other inquiry, and I’d say considering Touji was at the hospital recently, I think the only suspicious movements we haven’t accounted for is Ruri. So, I want you three to give their place a good going over…

(Ken smiles)

Ken: Anything you find, report back as soon as possible. With so few suspects left and motives increasing, this is where we have to focus on the remaining suspects and their locations.

(Ban nods, (he’s someone got a new pair of sunglasses – must have one for every day of the week) Satoshi rises his eyebrows, whilst Negi just sighs. Ken notices this but doesn’t comment.)

Ken: I suggest you focus completely on what you have here. With the suspects closing down, anything goes. And the real murderer will easily want to avoid your tracks.

(Ken bows – despite being American, he seems to have picked up many Japanese elements…that, or he’s trying to impress a certain Japanese girl…^_^…too late, Rosetta got her claws in first. :P)

(Hinata and Aya are the first to move, whilst the three men are a bit slower but at least in Ban, a lot more confident (cocky) – Triela just shakes her head…)

Triela: This job is going to be bad…

*

Ban: So…we have to investigate that creepy golden eyes girl again?

Satoshi: Not necessarily. Ken said just to go around her place. There must be something there which we haven’t thought of…which is vital to the case.

Negi: Well…we know there is something in regards to her adopted father…

Satoshi: Yes…that is new information…and from what Anna said, it seems there is more to the Evan virus in relations to the Hoshinos that more than meets the eye…

Ban: Stuff the philosophy…let’s just raid this hellhole, Getbackers style!

Satoshi: I’m afraid to ask what that is…

*

Aya: Are you O.K Hinata?

Hinata: Hai…I should ask you the same thing…

Aya: Well, we’re in a friendly environment. All we need to do is focus.

Hinata: Well…hopefully my chakra is in overtime, my brain isn’t…

Aya: We need to introduce you to caffeine.

Hinata: Do they come in ninja pill form?

Aya: I don’t…think so.

Hinata: Awww….

*

(The team are outside the Hoshinos…the truth is they want to burst in…but with the information in mind, we don’t know what Ruri they are going to meet up with…)

Ban: O.K…so we knock and demand an audience?

Satoshi: Tact would work better, wouldn’t you think?

Ban: We’re so close to the end, we need to make sure they tell us everything!

Satoshi: And you think intimidating her will work?

(Both guys pause…)

Ban/Satoshi: Negi, what do you think?

(The magician gulps…)

Negi: Um…

(Emerging from the doors is a very gothic looking Ruri Hoshino, obviously hearing their conversation – she’s wearing a simple black dress, as symbolism once again shows in this fic.)

Ruri: You gentlemen want to see me?

(Now Ruri has appeared, Ban’s earlier bravado has vanished. In fact, he seems to go a bit tongue-tied...)

(…fortunately, the one with the most experience dealing with girls (at a mere 10 years of age, then again, one wonders if Ban and Satoshi are really that interested…^_^) is quick on the mark…)

Negi: Yes, Hoshino-san. We need to further comment on some details given to us by somebody and that we need to follow up from.

(Ruri pauses…)

Ruri: Who was it?

(Negi is dealt with the golden glow from Ruri’s eyes, but Negi stands firm.)

Negi: I’m not elligible to say.

(Ruri stares a moment longer, but gives up.)

Ruri: You won’t leave me alone no matter what I say right?

(Negi shakes his head…)

Ruri: Well…then if it’s relevant, I’ll talk. But out here.

Satoshi: Fine.

(The three men get ready to delve into a really tough situation…the question is, how tough are they willing to make it…and worse…how tough is RURI willing to make it?)

*

(Meanwhile, the two girls join the circus…to meet with two other girls for this inquiry. Their message was brief, yet the intrigue factor wages heavily on everyone’s minds…)

Aya: Is that them?

Hinata: (nods) Must be…

(Both girls are in their regular attire as Sora waves them in. It’s obvious both girls seem to be acting like thieves, or at least not getting caught. Both Aya and Hinata realise whatever they are wanting to say must be important…)

Aya: Sora? Rosetta?

(The smaller red head, Rosetta, calls them over…)

Rosetta: You guys are the detectives? (examines Hinata) Look young…

Sora: (sweatdrops) You’re young as well…

Rosetta: Sora, that’s mean!

(Aya and Hinata chuckle about the two’s relationship but the talk soon get’s serious…)

Sora: Listen…we know how tough this is, so we intend to help as much as we can…so…

(The two girls look behind and quickly shuffle Hinata and Aya away…far away…from Kaleido Stage…)

*

(The young lady isn’t exactly talkative…but the guys have an ace in the hole…)

Ruri: There is nothing I have further to say to you…I have given you everything that I know.

Satoshi: That’s true…but not about yourself.

Ruri: I’m saying nothing.

Satoshi: Nothing?

Ruri: I’m sure by now you know that there was a ruse involving my one time friend Anna…

(One time?)

Ruri: …so trying to frame me wasn’t a good idea with so many holes in their story…

Satoshi: Well. True. But of course, at least don’t have family reasons for their motives…right Ruri Hoshino…or should I say…Ruri Hoshino-Tenkawa?

(Ruri’s eyes lighten up…as her powers maybe a scary thing…but herself can be even more scary…)

(…but then…)

Ruri: (faintly) Ak-I-to…

(Ruri puts her fingers to her lips…you can almost see her crying…however she shakes her head…)

Ruri: My family…I don’t want them involved…why did you…why did you have to bring up the past?

Satoshi: I thought it was the present.

(Ruri’s demeanour…changes to a reserved lady…but not like before…her quietness is now reminiscent of Hinata…in other words…)

(…shy…)

Ruri: Mother…father…

Negi: They weren’t your real parents…right…

(Ruri shakes her head)

Ruri: No…they are my foster parents…Yurika Misamaru and Akito Tenkawa…they…

Satoshi: What?

Ruri: They…

(A very long pause…)

Ruri: …they were considered dead…for such a long time. However, some discoveries made during a trip on the Nadesico…when I was captain…and Haley was the navigator…

(Ruri seems very reluctant to speak out…but where Satoshi and Ban’s detective skills fail, Negi’s cuteness works…)

Negi: Hoshino-san…sorry, Ruri-san…please…this could be vital to you…

(The golden eyes vs. Negi’s brown drawing eyes…)

(…Negi-kun wins…^_^)

Ruri: But things…they were alive…Yurika…the captain…Akito…and…he went away…

(Ruri is obviously trying hard to remain stoic as true to her character, but this is very hard even for Ruri-Ruri…)

Ruri: Anna…told you what I think you may be referring to…but…it’s not true.

Ban: Not true?

(Ruri shakes her head…actually, the guys don’t really know what Anna really meant (as she never specifically said Ruri) but because Ruri has admitted that, they know something is up. Negi decides it’s time for a good bluff…)

Ruri: No…I was trying to help cure Akito. He…suffered from a stage prototype of the Evan virus…

(Ban opens the notebook out…)

Ban: …it causes a chronic disorder of the senses….particularly sight, smell and taste. And from this…I…I was developing to try and cure my father…not my stepfather, he IS my father.

(Ruri’s care for Akito is well documented, and supposedly as we know another possible motive has come about…)

Ruri: However…

(Ban’s note writing is about to go into overdrive…)

Ruri: …Kalos…thanks to that…restraining order…

(Ruri is trying hard not to swear, something Negi has noticed…)

Ruri: …I couldn’t continue with the work, which was basically a part base for this adoption agency.

Satoshi: Suddenly that explains more about the amount of workstations in your basement.

(Ruri nods…)

Ruri: It was definitely more than just an adoption agency. I wanted to save Akito…but he wouldn’t let me – he was able to suspend my connections…

(Is that true? After all, we know she was tracing a number of people previously? However Ruri continues, unfazed.)

Ruri: I’m continuing to work on it now…I guess Kalos’ death worked for me in an ironic, yet idiotic way. I guess I’m thankful for at least that…

(slight pause)

Ruri: …for whoever killed him.

(Ruri obviously not sharing any love for Kalos, but not admitting to the crime either…)

Ruri: However, it is getting difficult…and I know that with people like Touji…and Anna are using this idea to their own benefits…and…

(Ruri’s face turns soft for a moment…she seems to look back at the agency for a second…and then…)

Ruri: …with…T-Tenchi…

(Negi notices Ruri’s look and nods, as he writes something down…)

Ruri: …he…he…well…I’m sure he’s trying to play God with this Third’s Eye…that thing says that it has a key to bringing people back to life…

(The Third Eye? Life? Remember the jewel was missing…and what’s Tenchi’s primary motive?)

Ruri: …namely his grandfather.

(A state of shock hits…immediately Satoshi calls Triela…)

Satoshi: Triela…can we see if can get in touch with Tenchi?

*

(Shot of the four girls at the old hot dog stand, where poor Ken’s attempts to get with Sora were foiled again…but here, it’s a chance for the girls to discuss the case…and things that they might be surprised about…)

Sora: I think we can say this is a long time coming…

Aya: With Kalos’ death, I can understand.

Rosetta: (shakes her head) No, we should have been more upfront. But I guess you guys are getting closer so any information we have will be a benefit…

Sora: The fact that Duplica is in charge makes this a bit bad…but…

(Sora nods as she hands something over to the two girls…)

Hinata: An insurance valuation?

Aya: That’s…is that what Yomi…

(Rosetta nods…)

Sora: We got it from…a little help…

(Inside Sora’s room in the dormitory, a certain perverted genie has been taped up as Mia and Anna have borrowed Sora’s shower…^_^)

Sora: I think it’s safe to say that Kalos wanted Duplica to be not part of Kaleido Stage…to be crippled…

(Sora is really finding this tough to talk about…)

Hinata: Sora…was this something to do with you?

(Sora doesn’t look up…but nods…)

Sora: He…he was very protective…over my status as the only Japanese star at Kaleido Stage…

Rosetta: (interrupting) Something I might add Sora didn’t agree with…she hates any discomfort or arguments on the stage…

Sora: Which…is probably why he did it. H-he knew it w-wouldn’t w-work if he wa-wanted me…

(Sora begins to cry as Rosetta gives a comforting hug. Aya and Hinata are quiet whilst Sora recovers…)

Aya: Were…other people jealous?

(Sora shakes her head…)

Sora: Not really…though a guest performer have brought some jealously with her popularity…but…well…

(Sora puts a hand on Rosetta’s shoulder…)

Sora: Rosetta…May…and Duplica…were known as the trifecta – a trio of small but well co-ordinated gynmasts who worked incredibly unique manoeuvres into their acts.

Rosetta: A three ring circus within a circus…so to speak…

Sora: She wasn’t the only one…Anna had a part working here as well for a period…

Aya: (nods) Yep, we heard about that and…

Sora: Yeah…but anyway…

(A deep breath from the KS Heroine as she begins to discuss some concerns about Duplica…)

*

Sora: …basically, Duplica is a very good friend of ours. She funny, sweet, entertainment and a great performer. But…

Hinata: But?

Sora: …but…at 15 years old…and suddenly out of nowhere, she wants…and in fact…is the new owner of Kaleido Stage. And…

Aya: And?

(Sora hates to admit this but…)

Sora: …I am concerned that someone as young would make a takeover – and…and that could…

Aya: …(finishing off the sentence)…have been the real reason for Kalos’ murder.

(Sora nods…as Rosetta continues…)

Rosetta: I don’t believe it…it’s that Evan virus stuff…why would she be involved with that?

(Hinata inerjects with the reason…)

Hinata: …because…Anna was interested in it?

(Pause…)

Rosetta: …and…as the two worked together…

(Motive, motive, motive…)

Sora: Those two in co-horts? I find that hard to believe…

Aya: …but not impossible right…

(The two girls of Kaleido Stage whose agility would rival any cast member of Naruto…are slowly seemingly dragging their new boss into a grave of her own…)

Hinata: But on that logic…wouldn’t you suspect Tamahome as well with Mia’s involvement?

(Good point. The Stage members don’t know that Tama is innocent, so Hinata has played a double bluff…it almost seems like they WANT Duplica to be the murderer…however, Rosetta is not letting them confuse them…)

Rosetta: Maybe…I guess we never thought of that…but…

Aya: But?

Rosetta: There is more…do you remember when Touji came over to bring us to the fact that Tenchi and Seta were fighting?

Hinata: I remember that a bit too well…

Rosetta: …well, it wasn’t just coincidence…he knows Kaleido Stage a bit too well…

Aya: How come?

Rosetta: I’m not sure how much I’d like to say…considering where he is today…

Sora: Rosetta, it will be O.K…he’ll understand. It may be putting a friend in danger but…

(A brief pause from the two stars, but Rosetta consents…)

Rosetta: Well…Ken Robbins…

(The two detectives raise their eyes…)

Aya: Ken? He’s…with us at the moment.

(Rosetta nods…)

Rosetta: Yeah I know. But what you don’t know was how he was good friends with Touji Suzuhara.

(At first, it seems a little meaningless…until Rosetta speaks again…)

Rosetta: Considering Ken suffers from health problems as well it’s like they were a kindred spirit…

(The two detectives are surprised, Ken was considering an attractive and healthy young man…)

Aya: How was Ken…

Sora: He has a heart diseases which limited his lung capacity – basically fibre tubes are inserted to keep his breathing stable when his ventricles in his heart don’t pump blood out properly. He’s fine normally, but he can’t run too fast or exercise streneously…(a bit sad)…he had to give up his dream as a performer…

Rosetta: Anna Hart is trying to get him involved though?

Sora: Yes, but for some reason Ken doesn’t seem interested into working into comedy…

Rosetta: …but he does it so well!

(Sora and Rosetta suddenly then realise they are going off topic, and get back onto the point of this…)

Rosetta: Anyway…if it wasn’t for Ken…and another performer here called Yuri Killian…Touji may have already been dead.

Aya: Seriously?

Sora: They’ve helped support him, emotionally in Ken’s case, and financially in Yuri’s case. However, not enough though to get him help with the Evan virus cure…

Rosetta: If only we knew how to access the cure…

(It seems they don’t know what was hidden inside their boss’ (former and current) safe…)

(…but they soon do…)

Aya: Well…your boss may have had a key to that.

Rosetta/Sora: WHAT?!!!

Hinata: Can we ask…did you know what was in that safe?

Sora: The safe?

Rosetta: The cure…was in the safe…

(A pause, and Sora snaps her fingers…)

Sora: I thought it was weird those marks…

Aya: Marks?

Sora: Well…I saw that the door to the safe…well, it was opened right? Well…problem was…

(Bombshell coming up…)

Sora: …it seemed forced open.

Aya: What?!!!

Sora: Well…it was locked under evidence by the police, but I noticed the hinges when I visited it one time – it wasn’t tampering with the numbers, it was just sheer strength that pulled it apart.

Hinata: So…someone had previously forced apart the safe then?

Sora: Possibly…

(Interesting. We know that the blueprints of the DNA sequence to cure the Evan virus were in there…the question is, if the safe was opened prior to the murder or even during the murder…was it forced open? Or was it a frame? Considering what happened with Seta as well (blown open) it could be one and the same person…but is the killer? Is it a bluff?)

(The two detectives seem confused but Aya recovers well…)

Aya: This means that SOMEONE out there would have known of the cure.

Hinata: The fact that the plans weren’t removed suggests somebody opened it, by force, saw the plans, and got out of there…

Aya: Why wasn’t this noticed first of all?

Sora: Because aside from Policeman-san, most of them are not exactly on the high IQ list…

(The two girls remember Tomo…and nod in unison.)

Aya: This seems weird though…why would someone suffer so much and put the virus back – if it was someone like Touji, Anna, or even Ruri to some extent…why would they keep it a secret if they needed it to save someone?

Hinata: Someone could easily have done it as a bluff…(whispers)…if it was Duplica, she’d open it, realise nothing worth of value, and leave it behind.

Aya: Then the same could easily be said for Tenchi or Seta as well…and considering how those two fought the other day…

(The two girls are doing some good theorising…but sadly, that seems to be hit for the day. But they’ve got some good answers, and some equally good questions.)

(And speaking of Tenchi…)

*

(The Masaki native has been a relative mover around the whole game…and now it’s time to catch him…and see if he really is more than just a tag along…or indeed…as vicious as he proved he could be during the scuffle at Kaleido Stage with Seta…)

Satoshi: Through the game, Anna has mostly been the good cop and Tenchi the bad…

Ban: So…who does that make more suspicious?

Negi: Umm…

(As Negi knows that the good cop is sometimes the most problematic one of the bunch (*coughsChao*) he refrains from answering…which is good as Tenchi is seen, bowing in front of a shrine statue…)

Tenchi: Chiriko…is this something that can be forgiven?

Chiriko: The weight of the problem is the main thing…otherwise…I…I wouldn’t have…

(Looks like the honeymoon as it was between Rika and Chiriko has now ended…but the honeymoon for the detectives hasn’t, as Chiriko spots them…)

Chiriko: I think…some people are here to talk to you Masaki-san…

Tenchi: Indeed…I’ve been avoiding them long enough…

(Tenchi turns around and gives a solemn nod to the detectives. That’s as close as a reaction they are going to get, so the three move their rears into gear…)

*

(…and begin the interegation. We see a shot of Negi speaking with Chiriko away (interview or driving away?) as Ban and Satoshi’s partnership once again gets a chance to shrine…er…shine…)

Ban: Tenchi…we need to speak to you about some revelations around yourself and your grandfather.

(In terms of straight to the point, it’s hard to beat Ban-chan. Tenchi however is different from his more recognised running for his life to avoid certain females, he’s colder and more calculated…)

Tenchi: I don’t see what that has anything to do with the case.

Satoshi: Oh…I think it is. A while back, we know you tried to leave to return to your home town…but airport security put a block on you exiting the country after the whole mess with the blasphemy problems that Kalos had put on your heads…that’s certainly motive enough…

(Satoshi adjusts his glasses…)

Satoshi: …especially when your grandfather died soon after, and you couldn’t see his last moments…

(Tenchi backs off slightly…)

Tenchi: You know that…well…what proof does it link with me? Sure…I was upset with the way I was treated…and couldn’t see my grandfather one last time…but surely you don’t think…

Satoshi: Oh, there is more. We believe…

(We cut over to Negi keeping Chiriko at bay…)

Chiriko: …it’s weird that Tenchi came here…

Negi: Why is that?

Chiriko: I’m not sure I’d say…

Negi: If it’s relevant to the case, I will need to know…

(Chiriko has grown in the last few years, and also knows martial arts…but so does Negi, and magic vs. knowledge is possibly a bridge too far for the Fushigi Yuugi scholar…)

Chiriko: Well…there was an incident…at the shrine yesterday…Tenchi was here…and well…

Negi: Well?

Chiriko: Touji came here too…and there was a bit of a confrontation…

Negi: Huh?

*

(We’ll get to the flashback in a moment, but Satoshi and Ban (unaware of this new information) continue to interrogate Tenchi…)

Satoshi: …the two other leads were the possibility that you didn’t want certain…people back home knowing that you were in a relationship with a beautiful young lady…

Tenchi: That has nothing to do…Kalos…I mean…we…he didn’t know about that…surely he didn’t…

Ban: …but protecting her…trying to make sure she wouldn’t be involved…protection against Kalos…

Satoshi: …and of course, we know that Anna has been involved with something…and surely she would tell you.

Tenchi: I know nothing about an eye or whatever!

Satoshi: Really? I don’t remember specifically saying what it was…

(Damn, he’s caught…and speaking of caught…)

*

Satoshi: …it’s not what you think Tenchi, it’s what you know. And can you prove anything?

Tenchi: (sighs) It doesn’t matter if I can or can’t…

Ban: Do you have an alibi?

Tenchi: I don’t know…I was out that night and I don’t know…if anyone can confirm if I was anywhere to be honest…

Ban: Well…

Negi: Ban-san, Satosh-san…

(Negi beckons them over…as the two men lean over, Negi whispers…Satoshi’s eye raise slightly but he nods.)

Satoshi: Tenchi…can you confirm something for us?

*

Tenchi: Chiriko!

Chiriko: I’m sorry…but they had to know…

Satoshi: So…we have a third eye, a partner in crime, and now someone accusing both of you…

Ban: (to himself) Irony considering Anna putting the blame on Ruri…

Negi: So…Touji really doesn’t seem to like you two…

Tenchi: There isn’t really any reason why…aside from feeling that Anna could have saved him if she knew about the cure of the Evan virus from the future…

Negi: …but she didn’t.

Tenchi: It’s this virus…it’s made him pissed off to the extreme…he seems to go into various fits of mildness…and then into anger…

Chiriko: He did seem scared when he said he knew the murder weapon was Seta’s…

Tenchi: …and how would he know that…other than…

Satoshi: …to possibly cover up his own faux pas.

Ban: I think we need to have a good word with Touji soon.

Satoshi: But for now, we’ll bid you gentlemen a good day.

(Tenchi is a little agitated, turns to Chiriko slightly, but you can’t get made at him…it’s damn near impossible (even Tasuki is lighter around him)…however, it gives the three men a real added incentive…)

(As always, an interesting day when you are playing the Murder Game…and as the three guys have returned, they can see there has been a round robin of onigiri making…)

Ban: Is this lunch?

Aya: Sorry…but we just threw round everything we could find…which was basically a lot of rice and minimal other ingredients…

Triela: …so there may be a few…interesting…flavours in there…

Satoshi: Can’t wait.

(Ban picks up one of the onigiri…which looks like sea urchin is the ingredient…or at least the black spikes of it…)

Ban: Is someone taking the joke?

(Hinata avoids looking into Ban’s eyes…)

*

Aya: I’m almost certain that Ban will be the pick for the vote tonight for Triela…so if the boys fail, then I’ll need to vote for Satoshi or Negi…

(Aya is thinking as she wonders if having a partner would have been good…)

Aya: I’ll guess I’ll speak to Hinata…

(Aya heads off to look for the ninja, whilst Satoshi with his seemingly long term partner Ban Mido, they wonder if Ban wasn’t exactly being smart when he made his little spiel on Triela…)

Satoshi: Ban, not that I don’t mind being in the knowledge of safety, but why did you…

(Ban steps outside…)

Ban: Hmmm…just showing that I mean business to win this game. If it means upping the stakes a little to make sure the little girls and boys of this game, then so be it.

Satoshi: You work in some mysterious ways Ban.

(Ban opens a pack of cigerattes, as his devilish smile is not seen by Satoshi…)

Ban: I only work by own law, the Getbackers law…which is simply winner takes all.

(Ban, for some reason, crushes the pack of cigarettes in his hand…)

Ban: Just one minute…

(Satoshi shakes his head and returns in…)

*

(Back to Aya, the only person she sees is Triela working on the workstation. She obviously isn’t in the mood to talk to her (especially as Aya is considering that Triela could pick her for the killer’s game) so she goes upstairs…)

Aya: O.K, this is…

(Just as Aya is about to walk up to Hinata’s room, she sees Negi exit his. Aya, like all Shibuya gals, hides at a moments notice not to interrupt anything…Negi breathes in deep…)

(…and knocks at Hinata’s door.)

Negi: (nervously) H-Hinata-san…

(A moment’s pause before a barely audible ‘hai’ escapes…)

Negi: Please…I need to ta…

(Before he can end the sentence, the door opens. Negi enters rather sheepishly…and as the door escapes, Aya assumes her own ninja pose and stealthy walks around the corridor…to of course, listen in…)

*

Negi: We’ve been…well…we’ve found it hard to talk to each other since…well…Shiine left and…what happened at the killers game…

(We can see that Hinata’s face is to the window, meaning Negi can’t see Hinata’s face (of course, with the Byakugan, Hinata could see Negi’s but anyway) – so he talks in a rather nervous way, his own eyes closed…)

Negi: And…I really don’t think…it…it’s fair that either of us are…second speaking each other like this…

(Negi mouths to himself something about ‘I should be used to talking to older girls’…)

Negi: So…I think that…

(Suddenly, Hinata turns around and gets on her hands and knees in a bowing position…her eyes, normally clear…are black and red on the edges…and the stains down her face…)

Negi: H-Hinata-san?

Hinata: I’M SORRY NEGI-KUN!!!

(Negi is a bit surprised by this, Hinata is not known for being outspoken as far as emotion is concerned…)

Negi: Hinata-san?

Hinata: It-it was the only way I could th-think of to avoid all this st-stone wall treatment…it was like ‘what would I do if I had to choose between Kiba and Shino if I was forced to kill one of them?’

(The way of the ninja seems to be scary for Negi…this WASN’T what he saw when he was practicing with Kaede…)

Hinata: I knew that in my heart, I could n-never abandon either one of my teammates…but in my way of life, it is a choice I may have needed to make…

Negi: So…(Nervously)…you would have picked both of them?

(Hinata doesn’t shake or nod…)

Hinata: In a respect…it would prove I couldn’t separate from either of them…but I also know that there is always a chance…I know their abilities…in some way, Shino-kun could escape metamorphising into bug format, or if Kiba could summon Akamaru…but here…

(Hinata sobs…)

Hinata: I-I couldn’t choose between you…I d-didn’t mean to…

(Suddenly, warmth engulfs Hinata. In a true ‘awww’ moment, Negi hugs the ninja. His glasses are slightly steamed from his own tears…)

Negi: (quietly) Let’s make sure…that either of us have to make any of those decisions again…

Hinata: N-Negi-kun…

Negi: Hinata-san…the frustration of being so young, and feeling betrayed…is a lot easier to numb than it is when you’re older it seems…so…I don’t want to feel like this…and neither do you…

(Negi tightens the grip slightly as Hinata, initially quite tense, relaxes slightly…)

Negi: Hinata-san, let’s prove we can still do this…no tricks, no backstabbing…just us two at the end…

(Hinata pauses…and finally, she smiles.)

Hinata: (whispering) Thank you…

(A few moments of silence as both youngster cry slightly, yet in a relaxing mood. Outside, Aya is red and almost crying herself…)

Aya: I can’t interrupt that…(sighs)…I just have to hope for the best…

(Aya scampers away…hoping that the vote will be in her favour…)

*

TEAM MEETING

Triela: I think today is simply what led from yesterday – the truth behind the kidnapping, and the further suspicion of everyone involved, especially with Ruri, Tenchi and Touji now, as much as Anna and Seta with the kidnapping and Duplica in her acquisiton of Kaleido Stage.

Aya: What Sora and Rosetta said could have really put a major perspective on the game…but who does this insinuate more?

Satoshi: I think we can safely say, even myself, that to put a direct fingerprint on the killer, even at this late stage, is near impossible.

Ban: But the choice for tonight…is that easier?

(Silence…Triela’s head looks ready to vein…)

Hinata: I…I don’t think it’s appropriate like this…

Ban: Oh, but for someone who defeated…

Negi: That’s enough Ban.

(Ban is stopped by the surprising fearness of the Negima rep. In fact, staring into his face, you’d think Negi was the one with the evil eye ability…)

Triela: Negi is right. I think we have enough to think about when we get back. So let’s just avoid another situation like the last two killers game where Kotone and Shiine had to go…

(Hinata lowers her head at that thought, as Triela lets the team escape…and ponder the loss of one more…)

(…and the irony, is that the one most nervous…is Triela herself.)

*

(Ken has met up with the group, as he looks over the team…all of them in mostly a sombre mood. Slight smiles from Aya and Satoshi and a fairly big one from Ban kind of ruin the image, but Ken begins to use that to his advantage...)

Ken: I see we have a mixed mood – people dreading this…and people wanting this more than anything.

(Ken looks around briefly but continues…)

Ken: As always, we have to go through what happened in the last couple of days. Both teams interviewed the key witnesses within the kidnapping angle…or should I say…instigators…but they wouldn’t break much, except we know that the jewel of the Third Eye is missing of course, and it seems there is more to this…forgive the pun…than meets the eye…

(A few groan but Ken (WHO IS NOT A COMEDIAN NO MATTER HOW MUCH ANNA HART TRIES!!!) continues on…)

Ken: We also managed to clear Taka ‘Tamahome’ Sukanami from the case…thanks to an unfortunate intervention from his wife…

Ban: That reminds me…has there been any more murders recently? I half expect Taka’s name to come up…

(Sweat…drop…city…)

Ken: (also sweatdropping) An…anyway, thanks to my colleague Mia Guillem, Tamahome has been cleared. And thanks to my other colleagues, Sora Naegino and Rosetta Passel…

(Ken seems to get jealous(?!) of saying the two names in the same sentence for a moment…)

Ken: …we learn more about Ruri’s foster family and about my boss…and how they are sure they want their paychecks deducted by suspecting her…

Aya: You suspect her as well right?

(Ken refuses to answer that question…)

Ken: Anyway, we had a small confrontation between Tenchi and Touji as well, which led to Touji being accused by Tenchi in a verbal game of ping-pong, leading to Touji not answering and indeed escaping. So…with all this suspicion and motives flying away, who would you considering the main suspect?

(With just 5 left (Seta, Anna, Touji, Ruri and Tenchi) despite what Satoshi said, it’s almost certain everyone has a good idea in their head. However, for one person, those ideas will be soon vanishing…)

*

Ken: So, now we get to the ratings…remember, the team with the best average will pass. So…

(First Team 1 (Ban, Negi and Satoshi), the all boys team…are rated as followed…)

(Now for the girls, Team 2 (Aya and Hinata)

(Despite similar inquiries, the boys take the win. Ban and Satoshi’s undefeated streak continues, however, Aya and Hinata looks very forlorn. Aya hasn’t played a killer’s game yet whilst Hinata survived one…and neither girl is really looking forward to it…)

*

Ken: Aya Hoshino and Hinata Hyuuga, one of you will play the killer’s game…cast by these three gentlemen, we are going to disregard your votes as they cancel each other out…

(Great – that means they have to wait out with nervousness…Ken isn’t really helping here…)

Ken: Satoshi, if you please…

(Satoshi starts off the vote as he heads up…Triela, watching Aya and Hinata, then moves her eyes to Negi…then Ban.)

(What will come from this?)

*

Ken: Satoshi, you’ve come a long way already – and have to be considered the favourite. Do you think it’s been that easy for you?

Satoshi: (shakes his head) Not in the slightest. These 5 I’m playing with and against, they have all got their skills and abilities which make them big threats. It doesn’t matter that I’ve got the experience…the key is strategy. It’s not the smartest player in terms of intelligence that wins, it’s the one who is at the end that wins.

Ken: Indeed. So, Satoshi…who are you going to determine wouldn’t make the end?

(With just Aya and Hinata left, it’s one or the other. And Satoshi doesn’t hesitate…)

Satoshi: I’ll…admittingly regretably…pick Hinata Hyuuga to play the killer’s game.

Ken: (nods) Weakest link?

(Again, Satoshi shakes his head)

Satoshi: Quite the opposite.

(Satoshi walks away, leaving Ken to wonder if anyone is insane but him…)

*

(…but child magician Negi probably isn’t the best person to view upon…or to get advice…)

Ken: You’ve had a rough few days…two killer’s game, loss of a friend/rival and problems with your other good friend…who not so coincidentally is one of the two picks here…

(Negi shakes his head…)

Negi: I knew that one of us would be up for the vote…that’s why I wanted to make peace. And now…

(Negi moves his hand…)

Negi: …I come to realise that she was my friend as much as I could have believed. And now, I don’t want to let her down. So, whilst I like her too, I will vote for Aya Hoshino.

*

(So the vote hangs on Ban Mido. The Getbackers strolls into the voting booth, calm and collected…)

Ban: So…two girls and I have to eliminate one?

Ken: Well, the other two…

Ban: Please. Satoshi is so scared of the ninja girl he’s probably crapping his pants that she’s gonna win, and Negi isn’t gonna vote for her. That means…I’ve got the decider.

(Ban thinks for a few moments…)

Ban: Actually, I’ve got along with Hinata…and me and Aya haven’t exactly seen eye to eye really.

(Ban smirks…)

Ban: Which is why I’m doing this…

(He makes his choice…)

*

(Ken comes down as Aya and Hinata gulp in near unison…)

Ken: The votes are in, with 2 to 1 votes.

(That helps a little – at least it wasn’t unanimous…Ken feeds the results into the computer…)

Ken: And the first person to play the killer’s game…will be…

(A moment before the two girls are shown on the screen…and it is…)

(Ken smiles slightly…)

Ken: Hinata Hyuuga.

(Hinata sighs, Aya is the first to put her arms around the ninja. Hinata accepts it, but the face of disappointment is obvious.)

AYA (1) – Negi

(With Hinata the first to play the killer’s game, there is one more ‘victim’ of the vote…and Ken immediately gets to business.)

Ken: We need someone to play the killer’s game with her. And that decision has to be made by the Team Leader for the last two days…namely, Triela.

(Triela gulps, takes a swig of water and walks up…)

Triela: Can I do it now?

Ken: Go ahead.

(Triela shakes her head and speaks…)

Triela: Today, I’ve had a few thoughts on the matter. And I saw the strategy. (He turns to the three guys) Two of you vote for Hinata…and you expect me to vote for Aya.

(Satoshi and Ban look a bit confused…)

Triela: Yep, we’ve had our problems. And indeed, I may have…if…

Ken: If?

Triela: If I wasn’t so focused on the game. I can certainly see strategies better than you expect. I love a lot of people, and a couple in this game – but I want to win this as much as anyone.

(Triela turns to Ban…)

Triela: Ban, you are too much of a smart ass…but that works to your advantage. Mainly…because I’m certain you don’t have a chance because of that attitude.

(Ban raises his eyebrows, as Triela finishes her little speech.)

Triela: And thus, the strongest danger is my choice. Satoshi, sorry. You’re way too much of a threat – so you’re playing tonight.

(Satoshi actually smiles…)

Satoshi: Fair play Triela.

(Satoshi Hiwatari is the second choice to play the killer’s game, his first as well. He’s always been the best detective of the game, but now as he forecast, strategies are being played. Triela has played her pawn, but is it checkmate for the D N Angel rep?)

Ken: So, it’s Satoshi and Hinata to play the killer’s game. And as we know, we’ve got something to do to determine who is going where…

(Two envelopes appear in Ken’s hands. One is for the KIDS CRASH and the other is for the DRAGON STADIUM. One contains another vital killer clue…the other…the killer, and we will match the amount of remaining suspects…with 5 detectives remaining in the game.)

Ken: Ladies first.

(Hinata, who this time isn’t upset…almost acceptant, she picks the one on the left. Satoshi grabs the remaining one.)

Hinata: Dragon Stadium.

(Satoshi confirms…)

Satoshi: Kids Crash.

Ken: Good luck, I think you’re going to need it…

(The two nods, and almost in unison, (and probably surprisingly considering earlier problems) hold their hands out, the two shake hands as ninja takes on angel. Who will win?)

*

Negi: I knew it…

(Negi seems disappointed – Triela is the one trying to keep him on track…)

Triela: At least you feel better now if Hinata has to go…

Negi: I know…it just doesn’t make me feel better.

Triela: You’re not the only one kiddo…

Negi: Though surprised you didn’t vote for Aya-san…or Ban-san…

Triela: Hey, I may act like a giddy schoolgirl at times, but I am a knowledgable and strong fighter. I have to make on the spot decisions for the best options available. And to me, having any chance to eliminate Satoshi now we are coming to the end is a good option. He is way too strong for any of us to beat in a true battle of detectives…

(Triela sighs)

Triela: …even me.

(Negi puts his hand on Triela’s shoulder…)

Negi: Let’s see if this strategy works…god knows others have caused chaos in this game…

*

(…meanwhile, Satoshi is calmly packing his bags. Ban is with him, seemingly surprised about Satoshi’s calm attitude…)

Ban: You think you’re coming back?

Satoshi: It’s not if I think I am…I have to believe I am. Hinata will be thinking the same way, and I can’t feel weak against her.

Ban: But…well…after Aya voted for me before I was pissed off, and you just smiled. Why?

Satoshi: Because Triela did the one thing I wanted everyone to do…play to their strategy to win. Shiine has done it and you’ve done it..albeit with mixed results. Triela saw what was happening in the game and saw me as a threat, as I saw Hinata as one.

Ban: And if you come back?

Satoshi: I’ll smile, shake her hand, and confirm this isn’t over. If I’m gone…then in my mind, I wish everyone the best of luck.

(Satoshi folds some clothes…)

Satoshi: If you don’t mind Ban…

(Ban gets the hint as he exits the room. We cut to two separate shots – one of Satoshi and one of Ban. The shot of Satoshi…shows his sighing and muttering something slightly…whilst the shot of Ban…emerges in a big smirk.)

*

(Hinata’s doing the same thing, and she’s also surprisingly relaxed. And Aya comments on this…)

Aya: You’re O.K with this Hinata? If it was me…

Hinata: (shakes her head) Well, of course I don’t want to lose…but I’m just glad that if I had to go…I close all my loose ends so to speak.

Aya: Ah…(smiles)…yes, I kinda felt that feeling…

(Hinata blushes…)

Hinata: N-n-not that w-way…

Aya: (smiles) O.K, fine. Just if you go…that means I don’t think there is anybody, with the possibly exception of Negi that I could feel comfortable with…

Hinata: (nods) Thanks.

Aya: Come back…for our sanity if nothing else.

Hinata: (perky) I’ll do my best!!!

*

(Shot of Hinata the first one to emerge, ready to play. Whilst a goodbye is always hard, Negi and Hinata’s return to friendship is marked with a warm hug as the young ninja seems fine…but you can see a mark of sadness in her eyes…)

(…She also hugs Aya…at this point, Satoshi moves out…wearing a leather black jacket which would make the yaoi fangirls already fantasizing…it’s actually the one given to him by Daisuke at the end of D N Angel after the sealing of Krad…yep, more yaoi thoughts…)

Hinata: Well…all I can say…whether I see you or not…a huge weight off my shoulders have been lifted…so thank you.

(She bows to Ban before getting a crushing glomp from Triela…)

Triela: I told Negi this last night…now it’s your turn…

(Triela kisses Hinata on the cheek, erupted a squeal from everyone, especially Ban!!!)

Ban: Wh-what the…

Hinata: (nearly faints) TR-TRIELA-SAN!!!

(Triela pulls her close…)

Triela: Come back dammit…

(Triela’s hug is the last moment Hinata shares with the team before heading out…Satoshi, playing his first killer’s game is more reserved.)

Satoshi: (bowing) I will return or I will not – either way, I know I have my mark on the game as much as almost everyone else has.

Ban: Go for it.

(Ban and Satoshi shake again, as does Negi…)

Satoshi: You’ve got a good head Negi – use it well.

(Satoshi pats Negi on the shoulder, before shaking Aya’s hands…finally, Triela.)

Satoshi: Good game I say once more.

Triela: (smiles) I learned from the best…you.

Satoshi: Touche.

(The two shake hands, as the first taxi has just appeared for Hinata, heading towards the Dragon Stadium.)

(And how appropriate…)

Lina: Come on then, get your butt in here!

(To a Dragon Stadium…we have a Dragon Slayer in Miss Lina Inverse from Slayers…)

Hinata: Um…is that for me?

Lina: Come on kid, let’s head off!

(Ignoring the fact that the superior Lina is only 2 years old than Hina, Satoshi gives a nod to the ninja as she wonders what she got herself into. Meanwhile, Satoshi gets a surprise…)

Satoshi: And you are?

(A dark haired main similar to Dark from D N Angel is by him in a car, as another gentlemen stands by him with…)

Zach: Hey, if this is the only way to get a cameo, then so be it! Phoenix, try not to see how similar this situation is…

Pheonix: Er…right…

(Author cameos Zach Kaiser and Black Phoenix take the vehicle…as Satoshi looks in a bit of forewarning…)

Satoshi: I’ve got a bad feeling about this…

*

Lina: …nah, that fighting gets you nowhere, unless you are an idiot like that Prince Phil – it seems oxymoronic attacks seem to work…hey, if you have to fight like that…

(Hinata is wishing in her head that if the killer doesn’t kill her, she might try it herself thanks to Lina’s chattering…)

Lina: So…you’re gonna win?

Hinata: I-I hope so…

Lina: HOPE?!!! YOU HAVE TO GO FOR THE JUGULAR MY YOUNG FRIEND!!! GO FOR THE WIN!!! COME ON, SAY IT WITH ME!! GO FOR THE WIN…

Hinata: G-go for the win…

Lina: I DON’T HEAR PASSION! GO FOR THE WIN!!!

(Hinata is forced to repeat this all the way…at this rate, she won’t have a voice to scream with if the killer is at the Stadium…)

(…meanwhile, heading to the Crash…)

*

Satoshi: You’re sure?

Zach: For the last time, my brother ISN’T related in any way, shape, form, reincarnation, or whatever method you can think off, to Dark Mousy.

Satoshi: Well…if you say so…it’s just…

Black: No sweat it, happens all the time.

Satoshi: I think…

Zach: Just make sure you win – I’ve got $10 on you to win the game…

Satoshi: Huh?

Zach: Oops, nothing!

(Nothing revealed about an outside betting pool…certain not on anything, especially Star’s $20 on Hinata, Joe Klemm on Negi for $25 and Mr. Pulver going for Ban at $30…myself, I’ve gone for Triela at £100 British pounds…)

*

Hinata: The entry is here…

Ban: This is making me itchy…

(Ban is hop footing it, as Negi looks on hardest…Triela is nowhere to be seen (actually in the kitchen) whilst Aya is trying to study…but keeping on eye on the door…)

(…suddenly blue lights surround the headquarters. The sign that one of the two has returned…alive.)

Ban: O.K, let’s see if we have the fanbase for the yaoi fangirls or the lolita ones?

(Everyone looks at him…)

Ban: What? It’s true…

Triela: I don’t think you should talk about going for being someone on the yaoi fanbase (sarcastic) Ban-chan…

Ban: Says the lolita cyborg…

Triela: Listen h…

(Before an argument can ruin anything, the double doors open…everyone’s attention is hit to the doors…)

(…but no-one comes in.)

Ban: Huh?

Negi: No-one…there?

Aya: Did…did they BOTH get killed?

(Triela escapes the kitchen…as no-one is outside, yet the van is there…Ban steps out…)

Ban: What the…

(Suddenly a figure creates a blur in front of Ban. The mighty Getbacker…)

Ban: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!

(…damn near shits himself.)

Ban: The k-k-killer…a-a-after us…

Negi: No way!!! That means…

??????: Guys?

(Suddenly, the two males and the two girls see that…they have been royally…had.)

All: HINATA?!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(The ninja girl smiles sheepishly…)

Hinata: S-sorry…just felt y-you deserved a little f-fear after what I had to…

(Hinata tries to hide her laugh, and fails miserably. Negi is the first to realise everything, and laughs…)

Negi: Hinata, you’ve been hanging around Triela too long!

Triela: Damn it girl, first thing is I’m gonna kill you and the second is WELCOME THE HELL BACK!!!

(Triela glomps her, as Hinata laughs, as Negi, and then Aya joins in…only Ban doesn’t…)

Ban: Tch…and now I’m on my own…

(Hinata Hyuuga survives her second killer’s game. Satoshi Hiwatari, genius, and true detective, was the best scorer, but even that couldn’t save him from a TL vote…and ironically, the person he originally sent in a similar strategy, is the one that has cast him to the graveyard.)

(5 left on each side…coming out to play?)

*

Yay – another day, another chapter – lots of blood, violence, intrigue, backstabbing, evil, sweetness, friendship, destruction and anything else you may wish to add.

The elimination of the stronger player in MG history will be interesting to see how the last major team game is played next episode – got a surprise for episode 9…but now about Sato-kun.

This Satoshi from D N Angel is a competent, intelligent, stoic, almost unfeeling young man who at 14 years of age is already Chief Commander of the Police Department, and is the personal thorn in the side of Dark Mousy, and yet is able to be friends with Dark’s alter ego, the ever lovable Daisuke Niwa. He was basically untouchable in this game apart from ep1 when Negi, Shiine and Hinata cause the upset. Overall, only Ban and Triela can keep up with him as far as detective skills and Aya in intelligence. So the only way he was going to be eliminated was to be bitten in the ass.

Which Triela did – Satoshi’s own words in episode 4 backfiring on him, with the irony that the one he was scared of (Hinata) being the person returning from that Killer’s Game. She and Negi have now survived 2 KG, will either of them be playing a third in the next ep?

Satoshi’s character was one of little humour but mucho strategy and playing. He cared about the game, and he was ironically, quite a little player from the shadows, no-one seemed to realise he was such a huge threat – but the fact that he couldn’t be voted for most of the time didn’t help. It took 7 episodes for someone to realise how to get rid of him.

So what now? More clues, more violence and more intrigue…but now for Chromus note time!

*

Seta’s chuckle about Anna and him going way back is a reference to the original Murder Game, where these two worked together a majority of the time and made it to the final three…only to be defeated by Kano Miyazawa.

Another MG reference, this time the second one, is during Satoshi and Ban’s little banter about the hospital. It’s not the first time a dramatic scene has happened in the hospital – Marie (Sister Princess) faced the killer during the hospital in MG2…but she lived to tell the tale. The ADV joke is more significant – Getbackers, DN Angel and Sister Princess are all ADV titles, but Ban not knowing maybe true – Getbackers was dubbed by the now defunct Monster Island rather than the Smoke & Mirrors that the majority ADV titles are done by, so I’ll let Ban off…

A new reference I added – thanks to my colleague in crime, Adam Pulver, he finally won me over into trying over Eyeshield 21. Now, considering a majority of my favourite series revolve around unusual elements that I have no interest or little interest in the outside world (baseball, circus, travelling, ballet), it seemed right up my alley…but even I thought I’d draw the line at American Football.

Glad I was wrong. :) The joke is of course Sena’s light speed vs. Akari’s own sonic speed techniques. Damn, if I’d known about it first Hiruma would so be one of the final three in the killers…problem is everyone would think it was him…

For the record, I adore Rosetta’s Japanese voice (the seiyuu escapes me for themoment) – only Osaka’s is better for absolute perfection. And Ken has a huge crush on Sora (but she’s too oblivious to notice) – but it’s looks doomed to fail. Rosetta, I believe, has a real idol worship of Sora and has a real shoujo-ai feel…you can easily argue Layla with Sora and even Rosetta with May as well…yeah, it’s not the gorgeous animation, music, wonderful characters, unusual yet intriguing plot, great cinematography (Little Mermaid, Swordfight between Yuri and Leon, Swan Lake, 2^nd OVA) – it’s the shoujo-ai that attracted me to Kaleido Star. :P

Do I have to explain what traumatised Hinata at the Sports Festival? Well, it also traumatised Ino and Sakura as well if that helps, involving a relay race, Sasuke, Naruto and a baton…I’ll let you figure it out…