A/N: Idk what inspired this? Let's just say it was likely some lovely discourse and encouragment between some fandom friends and the lovely art that Sayuri_Watanabe shares with us. I hope you enjoy this! P.S. You can now officially say those friends have dragged me back into writing for this fandom and falling in love with writing SessKag all over again! * * * * * Kagome sat before Sesshomaru on their shared futon, blankets rumpled around them and pooling around their hips. Sesshomaru’s hands gently brushed hair away from her shoulder, claws skimming her skin and causing a shiver to run down her spine. He leaned closer, breath ghosting across her skin and causing goosebumps to erupt along her arms. “Cold?” He asked his warm breath washing over her again and causing more goosebumps to erupt on her skin. “No.” Kagome murmured as the fire in the hearth crackled and popped a few times, the only sounds save for their words in the silent night. It was still winter, the cold early February chill still prevalent. Some snow still littered the ground in patches that had yet to see enough sun, and ice coated the ponds and streams around their shiro. It sometimes lingered in the hallways and rooms of the large house, though in their room with the fire blazing against her front and Sesshomaru’s warm body at her back, the shivers this time were for a different reason altogether. “Hn.” His lips replaced his breath, tracing a slow and sensual path down her back. They traced the nodules of her spine one by one, fangs occasionally peeking out to nip her gently. They moved all the way to the base of her spine before they stopped. Clawed fingers soon replaced the lips instead, the youkai they belonged to adjusting his position on the futon to accommodate what he now wanted. He traced letters and words on her skin, claws being gentle to not break and cause injury. “What are you doing back there?” Kagome asked, tilting her head to look at him over a shoulder. Her hair came forward to caress her breasts, covering them from view for a short period of time. Sesshomaru pushed her gently, urging her to face forward again. She did so with an amused smile, waiting for his answer. “My hopes and wishes for the year.” He stated after a few more quiet moments. His fingers stilled, coming to fame her back and press there in a reassuring warmth. “Oh.” Kagome was touched by the romantic gesture, odd though it was. In this intimate moment between them, the words meant more. They weren’t just empty thoughts from Sesshomaru; rather they were special words he saved just for her; things he wanted to share with his life partner and mate. Her hands, which had rested on the futon by her side, grappled blindly behind her, until she found Sesshomaru. He huffed a laugh, warm breath ghosting over her skin again, as he moved her hand to rest under his, clawed tips tracing idle patterns on her palm. He leveraged himself, using their joined hands to push himself up, having long since become accustomed to such an action with his one arm. He let go of her hand to twine his arm around her waist and press himself closer to her. Clawed fingers came to caress the skin of her breasts as his head rested on her shoulder, silver hair acting as a sheer curtain for his actions. “How much longer?” Kagome asked, leaning into the broad chest at her back and tilting her head just enough to meet his gaze. Glittering golden eyes, now colored a warm amber hue in the firelight, stared amused back at her. “So impatient,” he murmured softly, his fingers still continuing their path on her body, tracing idle patterns on her skin and causing her to bite her lip as desire took over again. He nudged her, arranging her in a different position, one that allowed him to claim her lips in a searing kiss and push her back against the warm covers of their futon. Their blankets became a tangled heap around them as he rained kisses down her neck and chest, stopping a hair’s breadth away from giving her the attention she truly wanted. “Sesshomaru.” She breathed using her fingers to trace the stripes on his cheeks and push some of his long hair away over his shoulders. He leaned into her touch, tilting his face to kiss her palm, tongue swiping once, delighting in her laughter at the ticklish sensation. “I love you.” She murmured, eyes softening as she took him in in the pale glow of the slowly fading firelight. Outside the walls of the shiro, light snow fell silently, dusting the ground one last time before it would give way to the warmth of Spring. But inside, here, with just the two of them, it was just as silent too. “Mate.” He replied, lips seeking hers again, his body pressing hers into the futon. “My mate, forever.” “Forever.” Kagome answered back, as he finally gave in to both their desires and moved over her, preparing her gently before rocking his hips into hers and locking their bodies together. Their movements were unhurried, whispered words adding a layer of warmth to the atmosphere as they made love on the last night of the old year. They came together, miko and youkai, female and male, silver and black, blue and amber. And as his lips stole one last kiss from her, the first of the songbirds began to sing its morning tune. They cuddled up together later as the fire finally dimmed and the sun’s first rays snuck into their room. She draped one arm around him, tired eyes meeting his as she pushed herself closer into his warm embrace. “Happy New Year.” Kagome whispered, her words breaking the soft silence that descended upon them. “Happy New Year.” He replied, pulling her closer and resting tired eyes. “Now sleep, Kagome.” With a smile on her face, warmth surrounding her, and love in her heart, Kagome proceeded to do just that.