A Yuu*Yuu*Hakusho Tarot

note: as I said, this is from universe #52, so you may not agree with some, and a few may leave you scratching your head in puzzlement (Reiko, the cat Ohi, etc.) Bother me to write more in that one if you want to know more about them.

There should be alternative selections, if some cause you to go "WHO are these people again?" (And in some cases because I couldn't decide which I liked better.)

Two: Youko-Kurama and Kuronue, making a laughing getaway, their bodies visually forming a chevron (\/). Kuronue holds a naginata; Kurama, a bamboo spear.

Three: Hiei with his arms full of three long objects: a branch off a HUGE rosebush (with the end splitting into thorny protuberances and bearing a few white buds), an oar, and a small white walking-stick painted with designs and adorned with a crimson feather (the sort you made in first grade or Brownies or Cub Scouts) with MINAMINO painted in messy hiragana on one end.
Alternate: Reiko, Valacirca, and Shuuji roasting marshmallows around a fire.
Alternate 2: Julie, Koto, and Luka on that talk show.
<Estrevan> I suppose Kurama lent his old stick to Hiei for some reason?
<Himiko> Probably. Hey, you seem to be pretty fond of Reiko.
<me> It was only her world that these were originally designed for...

Four: Four tall poles support garlands of leaves, old roses, and orange blossoms. Below them are two people: Yuusuke in a white tuxedo looking embarrassed and proud and pleased all at once, with an arm around Keiko. Her white gown has leghorn sleeves and a bell skirt, and her veil is thrown back; she is winding up to pitch the bouquet.

Five: The appropriate number of brooms have been casually dropped against the school wall as Yuusuke and Kuwabara square up for Chapter One-hundred-something of their fight.

Six: Inside a hexagonal framework formed by six rods (one metal, one intricately carved wood, one very long thighbone [what did it belongto, a megaceros?], one intricately carved jade one, one of smooth wood, and one of bamboo) Yuusuke standing, a bit banged up, as Koto proclaims him the winner of the Ankoku Bujuutsukai. In the four corners outside the frame, the other four members of the Urameshi Team reacting to his victory.

Seven: Urameshi-ya-Kuwabara Mutsumi holding a bo across her chest in Standard Blocking Position Number Something-or-other, as six other bo assault her (their wielders off-card). She's smiling a 'So-you-want-to-pick-a-fight-with-me-huh?' smile.
Alternate: Genkai doing the exact same thing.
Alternate 2: Baranohana and Manjushake, wielding naginata against five attacking polearms (their attackers off-card).

Eight: Hiei doing one of his superfast flits in front of the trunks of eight trees, of whichever kind seem most symbolic to the illustrator.
<Himiko> Gee, think you could be more sparse with the description?

Nine: Tsuyoki seated calmly in the Andreysen-Urameshi y Fernandez family room, nine bamboo poles leaning against the wall behind her.
Alternate: The main group roasting marshmallows. Kurama has his down near the coals and is evenly browning his all over. Keiko is attempting to copy him, although hers are a little lopsided. Yuusuke is trying to do what they're doing, although one of his has just caught on fire [there are three on his skewer]. Kuwabara has just shoved his three right into the flames. Botan is trying different positions and getting some very distorted marshmallows. Atsuko's has just fallen off her skewer and into the fire, Shizuru is taking her completed ones off the skewer, Yukina is looking at her skewer with an expression of "WHAT am I supposed to do with this again?" on her face, and Hiei has turned away from his skewer and the whole "stupid idea."
<Honey> I think that you should use ONE of the marshmallow-roasting ones. I really like those.

Ten: Takenaka-sensei in the evening, carrying the dropped brooms (and five more besides) in from the schoolyard. He looks exceedingly tired and stressed.

Servant: Koenma waving his small arms excitedly as he watches something on his viewscreen. One of the charones has left her oar leaning up against his desk.

Guardian: Hiei standing next to a Tibetan mace driven deeply into the ground. His face is progressing rapidly from Hiei Expression #2 (Pissed) to Hiei Expression #3 (MAJORLY PISSED) and the wards on his arm are beginning to smoke and drop off.

Lady: Mukuro seated on a pretty fancy-looking chair, explaining some idea of hers and gesturing with a wand to emphasize the point. She has her eyepiece on.

Lord: Koenma -- correction -- the new Lord Enma on a huge throne, holding the scepter of the Reikai and with an "I'll do my best" expression on his face.
 
 

Two: Kurama and Hiei drinking gods-know-what out of thick mugs in a Makai tavern. (Probably May Queens.) ^_^
<Estrevan> Okay, this card is technically used to represent a really deep and abiding friendship in the system that Luriko-Ysabeth tends to use. the sort described in Kipling's Thousandth Man. However, a lot also use it to refer to romantic love, although it isn't, not really, although a love that develops out of this kind of friendship will last because it's got love -- the other kind of love -- this is a VERY inadequate language, you know -- as a base beneath it. Since this IS one of the most debated cards she's found, and those two are just as debated, they fit, you see.

Three: Reiko, Emily, and Karin sitting around a little table drinking pink soda in glasses.
Alternate: Atsuko, Shizuru, and Botan sitting in a circle drinking sake.

Four: Kurama and Shuuichi-kun at a table in an ice-cream parlor, eating sundaes out of those tall cups. Hiei is also there and eating one, although he has turned his chair around and is ostentatiously ignoring Kurama's little brother. [Don't ask me how Kurama got him to come in the first place.] At the counter, an older Maya has turned with a chocolate parfait in her hand and an expression of "I know these people. I *know* I know these people. Where on earth do I know these people from?" on her face.
Alternate: Sei turned away from three bowls on the window. Pleias is in the doorway with a nice bowl of soup or something, but Sei pays him no attention.
<Himiko> Wouldn't she recognize that guy who stole my face? He can't have made her forget entirely about him, that would be really awkward the next day he went to school.
<Honey> No, of course not, but he looks very different with his hair grown out.

Five: Hiei, looking depressed for a change, staring at three spilt cups. There is no trace of fluid in one at all (it's made of some ice-blue stone). From another, of intricately carved jade, there is a little trickle of green-black fluid in which the image of Mukuro can be seen before it joins the larger pool. The silver third is apparently the most recently spilt: in its wash are the images of Kurama-Shuuichi and youko-Kurama. Behind him are two bowls. One, the same ice-blue color as the spilt cup, has 'Yukina' painted on it, and the other, porcelain with reflections of pink and blue, has the Chinese characters Nü Tan.

Six: Chibi-Yuusuke and chibi-Keiko (at about the age of "Clash of the Tiny Titans") planting flowers in flowerpots.
Alternate: Kurama and Maya (at the age of "Two Shots") doing the same thing.
Alternate 2: Three mirrors at the top of the card, and three at the bottom. In between, Yuusuke rescues Reiko-chan from certain annoying young lowlifes.
<Estrevan> Only use one of the Maya cards. She's not that important a character.

Seven: Reiko, Yohko, and Junko sitting on their apartment steps gazing at seven round mirrors that appeared out of the clouds. In each mirror there is an image: the fairy tale castle of Hibernia, youko-Kurama waving, an octopus (Umechiyo!), Puu, a chibi-Ohmu, a dragon (black, of course), and Lum in a pin-up pose. Reiko is looking at the mirrors longingly, and Junko has reached out towards either the oni-girl or the youko.
Alternate: Botan in sailorfuku looking at seven bowls. There is steam rising from the bowls, and in each cloud of steam an image is apparent: a rainbow, a black dragon, a falcon, a grizzly bear cub, a silver-grey fox, a lion cub, and something veiled in a flame-colored veil.

Eight: There are eight empty flowerpots around a human room. Youko-Kurama is walking out of the door, two large framed photographs under his arm; the topmost one is of Shiori. The sheet is pulled up over the head of a human form on the bed, but one lock of hair escapes; it is roan-colored now. Kurama's face is cheerful, as if looking forward to the next adventure.

Nine: There are nine mirrors around the card -- big ones, small ones, skinny ones, fat ones, the one Kurama stole in that disastrous raid on the Treasure House -- but the one at the top is the Ankoku Mirror, and the scene inside the border of mirrors is of Kurama bending over his recovering mother, about to start laughing and crying at once.

Ten: Yuusuke seated with his arm about an older Keiko, surrounded by five children (three girls and two boys). He's waving to Kuwabara and Yukina, just coming over the hill in the distance. Kuwabara (also older) is waving back, and Yukina has turned to encourage their brood. A rainbow arches overhead, ten bowls of graduating colors floating in its span.

Servant: Yukina, gazing raptly at the carp poking its head out of the fishbowl she holds (probably a gift from Kuwabara. He'd try to buy her the moon if she expressed an interest.) Her face is full of wide-eyed wonder.

Guardian: Kurama in his yellow surcoat, smiling out at the reader. Behind him, the broken Ankoku Mirror is hanging from a convenient branch (the background is bushes and water).

Lady: Botan in her formal kimono (shown in one of the side-drawings in tankoubon #2, IIRC), sitting with a polite listening look on her face. In one hand she holds a golden chalice, engraved with hearts.<p>

Lord: Yuusuke, shining almost white with his power (like the cover of tankoubon #19). Around him are pictures of Keiko, their children, their grandchildren, *their* children, etc. In his hand he holds a black lacquer bowl.

Two: Kuwabara and Majari, rei-ken parrying rei-ken.

Three: A heart, pierced by three swords. The hilt of the middle one is an image of Enma Daioh; the ones to either side are Sensui as he is now and as he was when he was a Reikai-Tantei. In the depths of the deep crimson heart, Koenma's anguished features can be seen.

Four: Hiei, out cold after releasing the Kokuryuuha. Kurama is tying the wards back into place. The scene is framed by four swords: a kodachi, a wakizashi, a katana, and a sakabatoh.

Five: Kurama kneels in shock and pain as the fake Kuronue swings one of those kusari-gama. Four others swing in from the sides.
<Himiko> Those are kusari-gama, aren't they? Aren't they?

Six: Everyone piled into the ferry to the Ankoku Bujuutsukai. In the water, swords appear to be reflected... six, in fact.
Alternate: Tsuyoki before one of the shuttles at Anoya Colony. On the shuttle is painted a starburst of six swords, their points touching.
<Honey> It *was* a journey by water, but space should count too. So should air travel… these existed before the invention of the airplane and helicopter and blimp and so forth.

Seven: Two swords across the top; one across the bottom; and the other four frame a screen capture from Episode 14Ithinkitwas -- where Hiei is pausing before lifting the switch to the gate of betrayal, and Kuwabara is yelling at him in distrust.
<Estrevan> I don't think you can see the two of them in the same screen at any time during that.
<Himiko> Well, you see Mr. parvulus ater pulcherque, and if you've seen the episode you KNOW Kuwa-chan's yelling at him.

Eight: Reiko, very confused, standing in the middle of Hakken Plaza, as we look down on her. In the direction she came from, Puu poohs miserably, unsure what he did wrong. Youko Kurama waits quietly in the shadow of another building, as yet unnoticed by Reiko.
<Honey> She can think of no alternate for this particular one. Suggestions?
 
Nine: Nine point-down swords, short in the middle and long on the sides (forming, in effect, a Gothic arch) framing Keiko, hunting frantically through her bag for the key to the new Urameshi apartment.

Ten: An oval formed by ten shuriken around Genkai's body, after Toguro killed her.

Servant: Young Genkai, talking to someone unseen by the reader as she makes her point. Since she's waving around a kitchen cleaver in the hand she's gesturing with, whoever it is probably gets the point.
<Estrevan> Argh. That's bad. That's just bad. If a pun were humor, it would be the lowest possible form.
<Himiko> Did you hear the one about the killer monkeys living in the NYC sewers?
<Estrevan> AAARGH!

Guardian: Yuusuke, in white T shirt, blue jeans, and leather jacket, looking cocky. One foot rests on a sword, and he is pointing his finger in preparation to using the rei-gun.

Lady: Atsuko cheesewhacking with the Kouma sword. The cheese is golden yellow-orange and the size of a cart wheel.
<Himiko> Aha! So THAT'S what happened to the cheesewhacker! We've been wondering where it got to!
<Estrevan & Honey> [sweatdrop]

Lord: Hatanaka Shuuichi hakase in his lab coat amidst his private lab. On the wall hangs a sword, and a picture of him in a headlock by his older brother when they were younger (from the card).
<Estrevan> What card?
<Honey> There's a scan on Ryen's page.
 

Two: Two Koorime tear gems orbiting each other, within an infinity sign made of youki. In one is visible Hiei; in the other, Yukina. High above the gems, the Koorime floating city can be seen.

Three: Genkai throwing three o-fuda and following them up with some Rei Hadou from her eyes.

Four: Gonzou Tarukane clutching four large coins, and holding a bag of numerous small round hard somethings.

Five: Yuusuke leaning against the side of a wedding chapel, watching the happy couple as they walk out, followed by their groomsmen and bridesmaids (Reiko and Emily being the youngest of the latter two), a wistful expression on his face. Five inkan ring the scene.
Alternate: Hiei doing the exact same thing at Yukina and Kuwabara's wedding (which is a ve-ry traditional Shintô deal, with them both in wafuku.)

Six: Valacirca and Pleias, handing out golden pentacles to Tonio, Shuuji, Yohko, and Junko. Alternative: Kuwabara blithely tossing them at Yuusuke and Keiko, pretending that he isn't doing it.

Seven: Baranohana, Manjushake, and Sei each being presented with a jewel-medal. The twins have two each already, while this is Sei's first.
Alternate: Seven jewels (opal, pearl, diamond, emerald, ruby, jade, and lapis lazuli) float above Kuwabara signing a contract of some sort.

Eight: Reiko and Emily (in fifth grade) working at their desks.
Alternate: Genkai training Yuusuke in rei techniques. Either way, it is surrounded by eight o-fuda.

Nine: Nine glowing circles of reiki (the characters rin, hyou, tou, sha, kai, jin, retsu, zai, and zen) surround Botan, who is seated in a chair in a room full of plants, eating grapes and cherries out of a bowl while reading a *Maison Ikkoku* wideban (and dressed in old, comfortable clothes). There is a bonsai pine on the table next to her, and a peony beside it. A blue ribbon woven with threads of metallic silver-green and a gem-tone blend of onyx and carnelian dangles from her hand.
Alternate: Youko-Kurama in his comfortable refuge, absolutely FULL of plants (one of which has grown nine fruits with the above characters).

Ten: Ten pentacles hover overhead as an aging Shizuru prepares to take a picture of Yukina, an equally aging Kuwabara, their eight children (four sets of twins: two of the girls look exactly like Yukina, one looks like a combination of Yukina and Shizuru, and one looks sort of like Azusa from *Mamono Hunter Yohko*; only one of the boys takes after Kuwabara), two sons-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and one grandchild. Everyone is smiling happily.

Servant: Keiko, studying something vociferously. A large and really complicated pentacle adorns the topmost notebook (it looks like Fuyuka's summoning one from *Silent Moebius*).

Guardian: Kuwabara, in one of his classic "Kuwabara is a man!" poses. He stands in a large pentacle on the ground.

Lady: Shizuru, under an autumn maple, sitting at a picnic table outdoors and glaring at the Gakidama (which is on the table in front of her). A rabbit is in a hutch behind her.
<Himiko> What's the Gakidama doing there?
<Honey> Well, it ought to go in somewhere. The suits are sticks, bowls/cups/mirrors, blades, and seals/coins/jewels. And it kind of fits here.
<Estrevan> What does 'gakidama' mean anyway?
<Honey> The Gaki Sphere.
<Himiko> What's a gaki?
<Honey> A hungry spirit. You know, like Gena.
<Himiko> Oh, the cloud that eats body odor.
<Estrevan> Most of them eat harmless things like that, but there's a variety that eats living flesh, a variety that drinks blood, and a variety that eats souls. Or maybe just spirits.
<Honey> Which is why it's called the Gakidama.

Lord: Youko-Kurama sitting at an extremely dusty desk, casting a human shadow. He's rapidly leafing through the desk, on the top of which he has deposited assorted small valuable items. Also on top of the desk is something that bears a striking resemblance to the Meikaigyoku.
 

0. (Alpha; Omega) ahou. [The Fool] Kuwabara Kazuma.

1. (Beta) mahôtsukai. [The Magician] Urameshi Yuusuke.

2. (Gamma) daishinkan. [The Priestess / The Female Pope / The High Priestess] Yukina.

3. (Delta) kohgoh. [The Empress] Shiori.

4. (Epsilon) kohtei. [The Emperor] Raizen.

5. (Digamma) kannagi. [The Priest / The Pope / The Hierophant] Koenma(otona).

6. (Zeta) aijintachi. [The Lovers]

7. (Eta) basha. [The Chariot] Hiei.

8. (Theta) seigi. [Justice / Balance] Kuwabara Shizuru.

9. (Iota) sennin. [The Hermit] Yomi.

10. (Kappa) unmei no sharin. [Wheel of Fortune / Fortune] Ayanami Reiko to Puu.

11. (Lambda) miko. [Strength / Lust (o_O) / Woman of Power] Yukimura Keiko.

12. (Mu) taretabito. [The Hanged Man] Kurama Minamino Shuuichi.

13. (Nu) shi. [Death]  Botan.

14. (Xi) sessei. [Temperance / Art / Moderation] Genkai.

15. (Omikron) aragami. [The Devil] Yakumo.

16. (Pi) horoboshitatoo [The Blasted Tower / The Tower / The Shattered Tower]

17. (San) hoshiboshi. [Stars / The Star] Mukuro.

18. (Koppa) tsuki. [The Moon] Shura.

19. (Rho) taiyou. [The Sun] Kuwabara Kazuma.

20. (Sigma) hantei. [Judgement / Reward / The Last Judgement] Koenma.

21. (Tau) sekai no naka de odoribito. [The World / The Universe / The Dancer at the Heart of the World] Toushin Yuusuke ya tsuma.

    If anyone has a better design, or something, or doesn't quite agree with some of these, or thinks these are wonderful, I'd like to hear it and may use it in future updates. What I wouldn't give to be able to draw...

(For instance, Jhiend-san kindly suggested the alternate for the 15th Arcanum Maiorum. Doomo arigatoo gozaimasu!)