Kikyou (桔梗)

A shrine maiden who loved InuYasha throughout the series and was killed by Naraku (disguised as Inuyasha) who tore the two apart fifty years prior (in InuYasha's time) to the story's start. She is brought back to life by the ogress Urasue. Although she acts alive, her body is still "dead," and she must ingest the souls of the dead to move.


Although she does not appear to entirely reciprocate Inuyasha's feelings throughout most of their encounters, it is heavily implied they still have feelings for each other. This is made even more complicated by Kagome, who Kikyou is aware has feelings for her lover. Throughout her journey, she retains some characteristics of her former life such as helping those in need and being an older sibling figure while pursuing Naraku. She ends up saving Kohaku and Miroku's lives and dies peacefully in the arms of InuYasha after being attacked by Naraku. Her life finally ends by the actions of Naraku, but not before sharing one passionate kiss from Inuyasha and feeling satisfied. Her soul is then carried by her soul collectors into the sky (it is implied that it returned to the afterlife).