Okay, I think this is acceptable as a final version. I have learned so much while working on this, I think now I have to go on and apply my newfound knowledge to other images.

Thank you very much everyone for your suggestions and hints -- through your help this has become a much better piece than I could have ever managed alone.

While I can still see room for improvement, I have decided to draw the line here, otherwise I'll never start another picture again. I might still tweak it a little if I decide I forgot something important, but so far this is it. Thanks again!

I will also do a desktop wallpaper version soon since a few people mentioned they'd like to have one.

About the picture: I wanted to do a married Sesshou/Kagome in a more courtly setting. This might be set in the far future where they have a large court and a lot of social and political responsibilities. This is them either unwinding from or getting ready for a day full of intrigue and veiled power play -- I wanted to capture an intimate moment on the edge between powerful miko/youkai ruler and their more private persona where they're simply a couple who are comfortable with each other.