[KagomexInuYasha] Anywhere I Go, I'm Home if You are There Beside Me.

[haro.livejournal.com]

Title: Anywhere I Go, I'm Home if You are There Beside Me.
Author: cowgirled
Email: stretchy_buyo at yahoo dot com
Fandom: "InuYasha"
Pairing: Higurashi Kagome/InuYasha
Spoilers: Through volume forty of the manga.
Notes: Thank you to tailfluff for the support and assistance in completing this manifesto, as well as all my friends in the fandom for (even if unintentionally) inspiring it. Fandom recommendations are done as a reply to this post due to running out of space.
10/17/06- This is a 'living' manifesto. As the manga is still ongoing, it will be updated with new information very soon. Please check back in the next couple weeks to see how it has grown. Thanks.

Anywhere I Go, I'm Home if You are There Beside Me

Higurashi Kagome/InuYasha



Glossary
Sengoku Jidai- or "warring-states" period, is a period of long civil war in the History of Japan that spans through the middle 15th to the early 17th centuries. It started in the late Muromachi period in 1467 with the Onin War (Onin no Ran 1467-1478), lasting through the entire Azuchi-Momoyama period, until final peace and order was achieved in 1615 of the Edo period.
Miko- Priestess
Hanyou- Half demon
Youkai- demon
Kitsune- Fox
Shikon no Tama- Jewel of the four souls. A powerful jewel made up of the pure soul of a Miko and an army of evil youkai.

A Few Notes
-Although this is what one would call a ‘canon pairing,’ in true Takahashi sense we have not had any type of final romantic resolution. This I’d assume won’t occur until the end of the series.

-With very few deviations, this essay will stick purely to manga canon. There is a marked section for anime only events later on.

-I like Kikyou. In fact I’d say she would fall as one of my favorite females in the series. (Behind Kagome and Kagura.) The scenarios I am presenting with her character are directly from canon, but since this is a Kagome/InuYasha essay, I am not delving into all the motivations behind them on her part. Yes, it’s true that some of them sound less than flattering. However, they did happen. I realize that she is a highly bashed character, but it would be incorrect for me to sugarcoat the events that occurred in early parts of the series.

Introduction

InuYasha and Higurashi Kagome are the lead is couple of legendary mangaka Takahashi Rumiko’s current long-running series “InuYasha- Sengoku o Togi-Zoushi.” (“InuYasha- A Feudal Fairy-Tale.)

“InuYasha” began in November of 1996 and is still going strong to this day. It is currently on its forty-first manga volume. It was adapted into an anime in October of 2000 and ran 167 episodes, concluding in September of 2004.

I fell in love with this pairing around three years ago. When I first ventured into this series, I promised myself I would not become overtly interested in any relationships in the series, and especially not Kagome and InuYasha’s. They had enough fans already after all. I was involved in another fandom at the time (Amelia/Zelgadiss of “The Slayers”), and had more than my fair share of projects already in progress with those two.

However, that was not be. These two struck an emotional chord with me greater than anything I’d experienced before in a form of entertainment. I became hopelessly captivated with the growing romance between the schoolgirl and the Hanyou. So much depth did I find in it, that to this day I am still discovering new facets of their relationship that I hadn’t seen before. Kagome/InuYasha is a gift that never stops giving, never failing to reveal to me something fresh and endearing.

This pairing, although canon, receives a lot of heat from much of the fandom. On the flip side though, it does have its share of rabid fangirls. In this manifesto I will explore what makes Kagome and InuYasha’s relationship work, and the long story of how it all happened.

The Girl



Full Name: Higurashi Kagome
Home: Dusk Shrine (Shinto). Tokyo, Japan 1996.
Birthday: July 2nd, 1981
Age: The beginning of the series falls on her fifteenth birthday.
Family: Father (deceased), Mother, Grandfather (on father’s side), younger brother (Souta, in third grade), and pet cat (Buyo).
Short Profile: Before her fifteenth birthday, Kagome led a somewhat ordinary life at the Shinto shrine she called home. However, upon her birthday she found herself transported via an ancient well entombed in the shrine to sengoku jidai. There her way of life did a complete 180, and hasn’t come around since. Kagome is the reincarnation of the legendary Miko Kikyou, and as such holds formidable Miko powers that she has yet to fully harness.

On the subject of personality, she is fairly mild-mannered. She does have a slight temper that usually flares up when she loses patience with InuYasha. Kagome is determined, resourceful, compassionate, and often selfless, but also has the tendency to be apprehensive. However, she is undeniably courageous, this showing especially when someone she holds close is endangered.

The Boy



Full Name: InuYasha (no surname known)
Home: Sengoku jidai, Musashi’s domain
Birthday: Unknown
Age: Fifteen
Family: Youkai father (passed away before InuYasha could manage to remember him), human mother (deceased likely within his childhood), older half brother (Sesshoumaru, full youkai on father’s side).
Short Profile: InuYasha is a hanyou, half human half youkai, or as Takahashi Rumiko describes him “a boy with the strength of a youkai and the heart of a human.” During the series, the abilities he holds due to his heritage work to his advantage more often than not. However, throughout his life InuYasha has been ostracized due to his mixed blood. “I wasn't a youkai. I wasn't human. I couldn't go with either.”

InuYasha is brash, gruff, naïve, and unsophisticated for the most part. He is also incredibly insecure, often using said behavior as a façade. His personality is intense. When he makes a promise, it is with absolute honor and sincerity. He is utterly compassionate, although it comes out often as rash demands. These are not behaviors we see at the beginning of the series, but attitudes he becomes more comfortable with displaying as the manga goes on.

At The Beginning With You...



As with nearly all good fictional relationships, Kagome and InuYasha start off in quite a rocky manner.

Their story begins from Kagome’s perspective. Upon finding herself whisked to a time five hundred years before her own, the first familiar landmark she comes across is the god tree that remains in her era, Goshinboku. However, sealed on this tree is the other half of this relationship. InuYasha, appearing to be merely sleeping peacefully… that is until Kagome’s presence ‘awakens’ him.

And everything whirlwinds into motion. Kagome ends up in the ancient village closest to the well, and discovers that she may be the reincarnation of the legendary Miko, Kikyou. The presence of the centipede youkai who dragged Kagome through the well manifests once more, and Kagome runs, inevitably ending up at the Goshinboku once more.

InuYasha is unsealed, the Shikon no tama (which is shattered only a short while later, resulting in the series quest to collect the shards and complete it once more) is ripped from Kagome’s body, and the centipede woman is defeated.

It’s then that the pair have their very interesting initial bonding. He threatens to kill her, although at that point Kagome has little idea as to why.

Kagome retains her cool, despite chaos erupting about her and the village Miko Kaede presents her with a rather interesting object.

Demanding she say a word that would subdue InuYasha, Kagome’s eyes avert themselves to the white dog ears nestled in his hair. “Osuwari!” (a ‘sit’ command used exclusively for dogs) she says.

Slamming into the ground, InuYasha disdainfully realizes that this girl now has power over him in the form of a rosary that now hangs around his neck.

The ‘osuwari’ command is used purely as comic relief throughout the series, and little more. It is the series expression of Takahashi Rumiko’s love for slapstick comedy. However, there are two points in which Kagome uses it to ‘save’ InuYasha. (More on that later.)

Kagome is open towards InuYasha after that, making a point to try to reach out to him as much as she comfortably can. She realizes that she is ‘stuck’ with him for at least some while, so she may as well attempt friendly companionship.

Shortly after, the jewel is shattered and we discover that the rogue shards are going to prove quite the problem. Kagome and InuYasha’s first major foe of the series is Yura, the spirit of a comb in the form of a beautiful girl.

Directly after her appearance, Kagome flees to her own era once more. And, in a move different from most other time/world traveling schoolgirl series, it is discovered that InuYasha can travel through the time portal freely as well. Showing up to retrieve Kagome, her family meets the boy who will become a key part of her daughter’s life for the first time. Not for long though, as he drags her back to continue the battle with Yura.

Yura’s battle yields some pivotal development for our leads. InuYasha calls Kagome by her name for the first time. He also gives her his fire-rat coat (which is flame resistant, among other things) to protect her during the fight. Slowly but surely, he is accepting her presence.

Several chapters later, he makes a vow to protect her wherein they are battling his older half brother Sesshoumaru. This vow is what allows him to transform Tessaiga, the sword his father willed to him.

The foundations for a relationship are being put into place.

Falling Hard and Fast



There seems to a small debate among fans of this pairing as to ‘who fell in love first.’ It’s my opinion that it was InuYasha who developed crush level feelings for her, while for a short while after Kagome’s feelings remained in the stage of friendship.

Shortly after the acquisition of Tessaiga, Kagome and InuYasha rescue an orphaned Kitsune named Shippou and face a thunder youkai named Hiten in battle. Directly after InuYasha deals Hiten the final blow, he sees Kagome and Shippou surrounded by a blue light. Automatically, he assumes it is their ghosts and that they have been killed by Hiten’s lightning bolt attack.

Panicked InuYasha yells her name and reaches out to the ‘specter,’ only to discover that Kagome is alive and well. The spirit of Shippou’s deceased father had protected the two of them, and that explained the blue light. However, what’s interesting to note here is InuYasha’s reaction after.

He is flustered, clearly so. The blush on his cheeks is rather prominent, simply because his hand touched hers. InuYasha blushes fairly often in the manga, but he never gets flustered towards anyone but Kagome. It is not a situation of ‘blushing because he touched a girl.’ His bashfulness only manifests itself with someone he already holds romantic feelings for.

By his panic and how utterly distraught he was over possibly losing her, it is clear InuYasha cared deeply for Kagome already at this point. His embarrassment upon touching her shows that he had by now developed at least a small crush on her.

So when do Kagome’s feelings towards InuYasha change?

As a Hanyou, there is a time once every moon cycle that InuYasha becomes fully human. For him, this night is the new moon. This is a change that he keeps secret from all due to the possible dangers of youkai or humans finding out, so the fact that he allowed Kagome to know his human night shows that he had begun to forge a deep bond of trust with her.

On this night, the pair of them find themselves in a dangerous situation. A battle with a spider youkai leaves InuYasha lethally poisoned. Since he is in his human form, the poison puts him on the brink of death. Barely conscious, he asks a favor of Kagome. He asks if he would be allowed to place his head upon her lap. This request is quite intimate in Japanese culture.

[Kagome has moved InuYasha's head onto her lap, he has his eyes closed, and looks drowsy. Kagome is looking down with a tender expression.]

Kagome: How's this...? Is it a bit more comfortable?

InuYasha: You... smell nice.

Kagome: Wh, what's this. Despite telling me you couldn't stomach my smell.

InuYasha: That was... a lie.

Kagome: Wha... What's this guy saying... Yipes... Why is my heart beating so...?

This ‘new moon’ is the first time we see Kagome openly flustered about InuYasha. It is also the first time we see her so distressed over his possible well being. It’s my feeling that the events earlier on in which he nearly perished triggered these feelings to finally manifest themselves in the same way they did for InuYasha during the Hiten incident.

The inklings of romance have been put into play; the two have at least subconsciously developed loving feelings. If only things could be so simple…

Kagome is Kagome…There is No Replacement For You.



Because no Takahashi Rumiko manga would be complete without a love triangle, “InuYasha” has quite a unique one. It is one of honor, obligation, mixed signals, bitterness, and the discovery that the strongest bonds are formed on the foundation of trust.

At this point, Kagome and InuYasha have developed at least minor feelings for each other. Remember how Kagome is the reincarnation of Kikyou? Well right now, InuYasha is under the impression that Kikyou is the woman who sealed him, making it all the more amazing that he was so quickly able to fall for Kagome. However, there is more to Kikyou and InuYasha’s past than meets the eye.

We discover that the two had shared a brief relationship. There is very little exploration of this relationship in the manga, only a few pages of showing snap shots of their time together. This ‘fling’ occurred all within one spring, but was brought to an abrupt end. Kikyou was the guardian of the Shikon no Tama, and as such had no opportunity to live a normal life. InuYasha, in a similar situation of being apart from normalcy found himself a kindred spirit in her.

Within that spring, Kikyou and InuYasha came to a decision. They would use the Shikon no tama to wish InuYasha fully human. In that way, she would gain the normal life she so desired and he would gain acceptance.

However, the Shikon no Tama was not to be used that day. A Hanyou formed of the heart of a wicked bandit and a swarm of youkai named Naraku set up an elaborate betrayal that resulted in InuYasha being sealed upon the Goshinboku. His intent was to gain the Shikon no Tama as well as possession of Kikyou herself for lustful reasons. However, instead of living, Kikyou exhausted the last of her powers to seal InuYasha and died, having herself cremated with the Shikon no tama (Wherein it was reincarnated into Kagome five hundred years later).

So what now? Kagome and Kikyou are the only people who can sense the Shikon shards, and a witch by the name of Urasue makes it her task to resurrect Kikyou in order to use her to collect the shards.

The resurrected Kikyou utilizes a small scrap of Kagome’s soul and is made up of earth and bones. She also sustains life by using the souls of young girls as her ‘fuel’ in a manner of speaking. She is Kikyou, but she is Kikyou at the point of her death. Embittered and filled with hate. As the series goes on, she slowly develops back into the person she was before the betrayal.

Shortly after her resurrection, a dangerous battle with Sesshoumaru and the discovery of Naraku causes InuYasha to make a decision. Taking Kagome to the well, he wraps his arms around her in an intense embrace and apologizes for all that has occurred. Despite his outpouring of emotion, he has an ulterior motive. Snatching the shards from her grasp, InuYasha pushes her into the well with the intention of her not returning.

He wants her there, and he makes that clear. Even this early in the series, his heart aches not having her around. There is a substantial lack of luster and life in the way he battles and behaves. However, this is a sacrifice of honor. He does not feel she is safe with him, and so he gives up her presence.

Kagome has other ideas though. It doesn’t take more than a few days before she finds herself back in sengoku jidai. Wrapping her arms around InuYasha, the two of them share a second hug. While he embraced her goodbye because he cared for her enough to sacrifice his ‘need to have her beside him’ as he called it, she embraced him hello because she cared enough to sacrifice, possibly, her life.

Kikyou makes herself known again soon thereafter. Kagome is the one who initially finds her, and the older Miko capitalizes on this. She entangles Kagome in a spell, bound by her shinidimachuu (soul collectors) to where she is invisible to all but Kikyou herself.

At this point, Kikyou calls InuYasha to her. Right now she does not know that InuYasha was not the one who attacked her.

Kikyou’s tactics at this point are not kind. She forces Kagome to watch as she places InuYasha under a spell and commands him to descend into hell with her. Kagome is appalled, but all hope seems lost on her part. However, her voice eventually snaps InuYasha out of the trance Kikyou has unwillingly placed him under. Immediately, he runs to her side, nearly forgetting Kikyou’s presence. At least temporarily defeated, Kikyou leaves the pair behind and goes to visit her sister Kaede.

Kaede explains to Kikyou the Naraku issue, and Kikyou makes this remark:

Kikyou: Kaede, InuYasha has changed, hasn't he? His expression has become a lot kinder. Way back then, that guy looked like he didn't trust anybody... He had a peevish expression. That Kagome or whatever girl... has changed InuYasha?

Kaede: Kagome is a mysterious child. Maybe that's the child's strength... Bit by bit, she's curing InuYasha's heart.

This is the first mention by an outsider of the change Kagome has already made upon InuYasha, and it’s very interesting to note that it is from Kikyou herself, stressing its significance. Meanwhile, Kagome and InuYasha engage in a scene that has myriads of importance. It fuels character motivation for much of the series.

(On a side note: this scene was removed from the anime. I believe this explains a lot of the fandom misconceptions regarding the love triangle.)

Kagome: That you couldn't even forget about Kikyou for a single day... which of them is true? (Kagome refers to when InuYasha earlier said to her “I want to be by your side Kagome.”)

InuYasha: They're both true. Fifty years ago, Kikyou was killed, but even still, she can't go to Nirvana... It was half my fault... because I didn't believe in Kikyou... That's why, I can't forget about Kikyou.

InuYasha could be quite accurately described as having the worst guilt complex ever. Even if he did hold some romantic feelings for Kikyou at a point, that is not the primary reason he thinks about her. He does so because he feels her death is his responsibility since he did not trust her. (Naraku later remarks that if the two had trusted each other, the betrayal could not have gone as planned.) His intent is not to be with her, but to help her attain a peaceful rest. However, because he feels indebted to her he is honor bound in his eyes to basically do as she requests.

The next part of the conversation is crucial as well:

Kagome: Lastly, let me ask one thing. Am I after all... a replacement for Kikyou?

InuYasha: I'd-! I've been saying that's completely wrong, haven't I! I did think that you might be alike at the beginning, but... now... Kagome is Kagome... There is no replacement for you.

At this point, the insecurities about Kagome not being her own person disappear for the most part. The fact that she is a reincarnation is rarely brought up afterwards, except by Kikyou and some foes. It’s as if InuYasha asserting that to her gives her the confidence to overcome many of her doubts. From InuYasha’s part, this proves that his relationship with Kagome is a whole different level of anything he’s had before. It is not his relationship with Kikyou revisited, and in fact as is remarked, Kagome has already opened up InuYasha beyond what was done beforehand in that relationship. And this is only volume eight of the manga.

It’s my opinion that InuYasha was braving himself to say something quite substantial afterwards. (“I like your smiling face. Somehow with you it seems I’m relieved.”) Unfortunately for him, his cautious venture is cut off when he realizes that Kagome has dozed off against his back. This may seem a stretch to some, but based on what he’d said before, I think he was attempting some profession of his feelings. Although of course, “I love you” are never words I could see coming out of his mouth, I do think he was moving to solidify their relationship further.

To me, the series ‘resolution’ of the love triangle occurs in volume eighteen of the manga. While Kikyou still appears from time to time after that to InuYasha, it is in purely business oriented manners. Usually to discuss Naraku, etc. InuYasha has not completely resolved things with Kikyou, but rarely is it touched upon after this incident.

Naraku sends a giant youkai after Kikyou, and she finds herself saved by InuYasha. The two of them have an intense conversation and do hug, but unfortunately for InuYasha Kagome finds herself unintentionally eavesdropping. Upset, she runs back to her era and he is left in his own with a dilemma.

He is indebted to Kikyou in his eyes, although those around him don’t understand it fully. Kaede tells him wisely that she is no longer alive, but InuYasha reminds her that the soul is Kikyou’s at least. At this point he comes to the conclusion that in order to fulfill his obligations with Kikyou, he may have to break his ties with Kagome. He believes that he cannot engage in his relationship with her while bound by obligations that may take him elsewhere. It’s a legitimate worry, and a decision he makes purely out of love and selflessness for Kagome. He is willing to give up what he wants, what he’s told Kagome he needs. Something he’s been lacking his entire life until he formed his bond with Kagome, to fulfill this promise to Kikyou.

However, Kagome is also quite selfless in her own right. In her era, she comes to the realization that she truly deeply loves InuYasha. (“I love InuYasha, when did I come to love him so much?”) It is after many tears that Kagome comes to a brave decision. She decides that, even if she can’t have InuYasha as her own, she wants to be there for him. Even if she is not gaining from it, she wants to stay by his side.

And so she goes back, sitting on the lip of the well as InuYasha approaches her in the sunlit meadow. He is surprised, as he was attempting to go and bid her goodbye.

InuYasha once again makes his motivations clear:

InuYasha: Kagome… I… until I met you, I couldn't trust anybody. But you cried for my sake. You were always by my side, for me. I enjoy it when you're here. I feel at ease… However, I mustn't laugh and enjoy things. Kikyou... died following after me. I have to... risk my life for Kikyou in return.

Venturing forward, Kagome takes his hand and asks of him a simple request:

Kagome: May I be with you?

InuYasha: You’ll… be here for me?

InuYasha returns the gesture, and the two of them walk stand hand in hand on top of the hill near the well.

Kagome: The bond between Inuyasha and Kikyou may never be cut. I understand that. But you know Inuyasha. I think that... it wasn't by chance that you and I met either. I want Inuyasha to live. As long as there are happy times, I want us to smile often. I don't know if I'll be able to do anything, but... I'll always be by your side.

To me this ‘triangle,’ serves as a brilliant way for Kagome and InuYasha’s relationship to grow. It has tested their mettle time and time again, and in the end strengthened them and their bond. It is not a threat as many fans assume, but instead it is a tool that has helped them discover their feelings to a greater degree. Without Kikyou’s presence, Kagome and InuYasha would be in a deep and meaningful relationship. However, the tests they pass, the things they learn, and the decisions they make because of her presence are going to make that relationship far superior to what it would be without her. It is a foil to forward Kagome and InuYasha’s relationship, not to hinder it.

I Have Been Changed... For Good



Perhaps one of the main factors in what makes this relationship so solid is how the two of them continually cause each other to grow and mature. The experiences they have with each other as well as due to each other repeatedly are grounds for them to ‘grow up.’

InuYasha is a whole new person around Kagome. He is at ease and content. Because with her he has found many of the things he has been looking for in the entirety of his young life. Kagome treats InuYasha as an equal. They have an equal camaraderie that leaves neither feeling inferior. In Kagome’s eyes, InuYasha is not different. I feel that Kagome is the primary reason that other people who befriend the two of them have such complete acceptance of InuYasha, despite his heritage.

Kagome’s treatment of InuYasha is as just a fellow human being, and the few times that she does make some type of input on his Hanyou blood, it’s with pride or defensiveness. In my view, because of that the members of the group, Miroku, Shippou, and Sango find it easier to fully trust someone they would normally be leery of. Of course, a great deal of it is also InuYasha’s behavior. But having someone so confident in him there already was one of the clinchers.

What InuYasha has found in Kagome would be best described in his own words:

InuYasha: That's right. When did it happen that... it seems natural that Kagome being beside me... is my home.

(On a random note, my absolute favorite line from him in the series.) He is highly dependent on her presence. One way I’d say their relationship is imbalanced, is that especially later on in the series, his dependency on her emotionally is greater than her on him. Kagome can be away from InuYasha in her era with no troubles. She thinks about him and worries, but overall maintains normalcy just fine. However, InuYasha literally cannot function well without her. He does nothing when she’s not there, resorting to sulking on rooftops, waiting by the well, and eventually giving in and going after her. Without some kind of motivation regarding her, or her direct presence his battles seem almost half-hearted and uninspired. Really, Kagome couldn’t get away from InuYasha if she wanted to. (Not that she would.) Even though she’s the one who promised to stay by his side, he makes sure that promise is fulfilled more often than not. Contrary to some fandom belief, it is he that seeks out her presence most of the time, not her to him.

He could easily be described as clingy, although endearingly so.

Kagome’s near death is what causes InuYasha to shed his first tears. This occurs in volume twenty five of the manga. Naraku has pitted a seven man army of resurrected mercenary known as the Shichinin-tai against the InuYasha-tachi. After a series of events with them, Kagome, Miroku, and Sango are found assumed dead from a combination of flames and poison. The depth of InuYasha’s devastation is difficult to describe, however it’s fairly clear that the only thing keeping him from completely shattering to the point of no return is his resolve to stay strong for the also distraught Shippou.

While he is obviously greatly distressed by the loss of his friends, the continuous pans to Kagome (she’s also the only one we see her picking up and holding to him when they find the group ‘dead’) as well as his dialogue make it apparent that the majority of his grief comes from the possibility of losing her.

Fortunately Myouga, his on-again/off-again retainer is able to suck the poison out of everyone’s system. They awaken, and InuYasha’s face lights up. Perchance this is also because he was holding Kagome the moment her eyes open. Gently placing Kagome on the ground, he turns around and hides his face.

But Myouga and Shippou hop on his shoulders and discover that the reason he’s hiding, is because there are tears pooling in his eyes. (“Don't kid around, Shippou. In all the years I've served InuYasha-sama... I haven't seen him cry even once.”)

Knocking the pair off his shoulders, InuYasha turns around to the group, tears clearly visible. (“I'm not crying! I'm just happy because everyone's alive!”) Once again, we pan only to Kagome who thanks him with a quiet smile.

InuYasha has experienced many difficult things in his life and the fact that Kagome is the first and only thing that has caused tears from him is a strong indicator of the vast depth of his feelings for her.

InuYasha is more open around everyone because of Kagome. (This is remarked on in canon, by Kikyou herself in the above section.) Her bright and unyielding acceptance of him, as well as insistence upon treating him as an equal has made him more confident in his actions elsewhere.

It is a bit of an odd twist, but a good example of this would actually be in his interactions with Kikyou. In all the few scenes we see before the betrayal, Kikyou and InuYasha are sitting a good several feet apart. It’s clear by their postures and stances, as well as that distance that they are on alert. They are literally never shown touching. However, after his resurrection, InuYasha will touch her. Kikyou remarks on the ‘kindness in his eyes’ that was never there before. As such, rather ironically, the primary reason that InuYasha is able to hold this honorable and more open attitude towards Kikyou is because of how her very reincarnation has changed him.

And he touches Kagome a lot. As discussed later in the cultural section, they do not hesitate to hold each other, put an arm around one another, or just lean closely together. Kagome has in a sense broken down his ‘personal space barrier.’ Because of her almost immediate willingness to trust him, he found himself able to do the same. And this affected him in all aspects of life. It caused him to truly grow.

On a more childish note, he is very openly jealous of anyone who comes near Kagome. Kouga, the comedic love rival who falls for Kagome (unreciprocated of course) never fails to irritate InuYasha even though she clearly does not return his feelings.

Because Kagome is more open, it is substantially easier to investigate the changes InuYasha has brought upon her. I believe they’re not as extreme. That does not mean they aren’t significant though.

Kagome enters the series as a fairly mature fifteen year old already. She has her quirks and a lot of those smooth out as the series goes on. However, she is level headed and open. There is not near as much to change.

In a manner of speaking, I believe Kagome’s relationship with InuYasha has caused her to ‘get to know herself.’ She understands that while she can feel jealousy, she can also overcome that and turn her heartache into courage. In my opinion she goes into the series somewhat insecure and gains a great deal of inner strength as the series goes on.

I think ‘finding someone’ to fight for is a great part of this. Kagome has formidable Miko abilities, but she is untrained. At this point, her abilities best surface when someone she holds dear is in danger or has been insulted. More often than not this someone is InuYasha. Early on in the manga (volume twelve) Kagome nearly defeats Naraku with one of her arrows. She has come close to accomplishing this task since, but the situation here is really interesting.

After Naraku flees, this conversation occurs:

InuYasha: It seems you’re... the most amazing of any of us.

(It’s worth noting that by this point InuYasha has humbled himself to the point where he can admit Kagome holds more power than even himself. This doesn’t cause him to be any less overprotective though. * grin *)

Kagome: Because when he... started making fun of Inuyasha... I just snapped.

(InuYasha is blushing. Once again, he gets flustered quite easily.)

Although Kagome has her head on her shoulders quite nicely, she is an emotional person. Her inner strength manifests itself best when those around her are hurting or in peril.

We also see Kagome mature greatly about the Kikyou issue as the series goes on. Beyond what occurred in episode forty-eight, the later encounters with Kikyou are quite awkward. Despite the fact that they are unromantic, Kagome does get irritated by them. This is the jealousy we do see from her, but it is somewhat justified. InuYasha made a promise to her at a later point that he would not ‘run off and see her.’

In volume twenty-nine Kikyou is presumed dead and InuYasha goes to search for her. Unfortunately, while he is gone Kagome is trapped by one of Naraku’s detachments. He saves her just in time and makes a promise:

Kagome: Well... if you happen to hear a clue about Kikyou, you'll leave, won't you?

InuYasha: I won't go! I won't leave your side again.

Kagome tells him she knows he’ll leave if he finds a clue, but also says “However, when it happens, I'll get miffed. That much is obvious.”

As the series goes on, her irritation lessens substantially regarding the situation. She begins to understand that she can’t control InuYasha’s actions, but since she understands that ‘nothing is going on,’ there’s no real reason to be that upset.

Both of these characters start out the series in a way, as children. I think that this journey is very much their coming of age.

Trust Makes All The Difference



InuYasha remarks that ‘he couldn’t trust anyone before Kagome.’ The sentiment is sweet, but in this series it holds a far greater depth than one would initially believe. I believe that Kagome and InuYasha’s deep trust stems from the fact that they are best friends first and foremost. This is a relationship built upon friendship, which makes it undeniably solid.

Trust is the building block of almost all successful relationships in this manga. Even down to minor characters, Takahashi makes sure to focus on trust or the lack of it.

Why? Well, because Naraku’s favorite thing to capitalize on is people’s emotions. How simple would that be to do if the two people involved didn’t even trust each other? Naraku’s first wicked deed was the betrayal between InuYasha and Kikyou, which he and InuYasha both state should not have been able to occur had they had faith in each other. Naraku knows a good tactic when he sees it.

Kagome and InuYasha have their doubts about each other in some minor situations, as is natural and human. They don’t trust each other blindly because that would be foolish. However, there is simply no way Naraku could pit them against each other. And he has tried.

In volume twenty of the manga, Naraku employs a dark Miko named Tsubaki and attempts to set up a ‘betrayal’ between Kagome and InuYasha.

Tsubaki uses her abilities and a Shikon shard to ‘control’ Kagome into attacking InuYasha with a bow and arrow just like Kikyou had. Such is Kagome’s strength that she is able to overcome the curse long enough to tell InuYasha to ‘run away.’

But he does not run. His face is hardened determination as he stands there while she fires arrows. (They’re in a village hut.) He has two choices at the moment. Stay, and get shot by Kagome’s purifying arrows. Or leave, and possibly let Kagome die of the curse she is under.

Instead he does neither, he rushes towards Kagome. She fires an arrow, which he barely dodges and finally snaps the curse. He then holds her.

Kagome’s unadulterated trust towards InuYasha is best displayed during the times his youkai blood overtakes him. This leaves him in a berserk form where he is basically mindless to his true human heart. To me, the essential scene regarding this arc occurs after he loses his mind completely and slaughters a group of bandits. So filled with guilt is he over even unintentionally killing humans, that his mind automatically reverts to the possibility that, next time it is Kagome’s blood that could be staining his claws.

In the scene that I feel best epitomizes what Kagome provides for InuYasha from her part, she approaches him and leans against his back (a gesture of romantic support in Japanese culture). Her words are “InuYasha… I understand,” and after a moment he clasps her hand. Kagome’s bond with InuYasha has reached a point where she can understand the words and thoughts he is unable to express, and that is displayed blatantly in this scene. She is his comfort, and he does not need to tell her everything for her to be able to fulfill that need for him.

Despite the extreme danger, Kagome’s faith in the fact that InuYasha could never harm her gives her the courage to approach him in that form. At two points she snaps him out of it with an ‘osuwari,’ and at one, very late series (volume thirty-six) she literally runs through a pool of acid and embraces him (He is semi still in his right mind at that moment, and is telling her to run. She ignores that.). What turned him berserk in that scenario was a tainted Shikon shard and while embracing him she is able to purify it.

In an example of how InuYasha works better with her beside him, he tells her to ‘hold him up just a little bit longer.’ Kagome does so, and with her aide he is able to fight. Later on InuYasha, filled with guilt that Kagome sustained injuries (due to the acid) to save him, takes her up into his favorite tree.
There the two share the scene that served as the ending of the anime adaptation:

InuYasha: Your legs… they’re hurt.

Kagome: InuYasha…

InuYasha: Damn. I do have a lot to learn, don’t I? I’m really sorry I made you go through that pain. (The word he uses here for ‘pain’ refers to both physical and mental pain.)

Kagome: No, not really. Without you, all of us wouldn’t have been saved. And besides… back then (flash to “could you hold me up just a little bit longer?”) somehow I was happy. (She smiles.) Being by your side makes me happy.

InuYasha: (looking undeniably touched) Kagome…

(The two of them lean into each other in the tree)

InuYasha: The same with me. It makes me glad to have you beside me…

Running to the Future



InuYasha and Kagome both have the ability to freely travel through the well between eras. An anime only addition gives the implication that Kagome can only travel with shards, but in canon that does not seem to be the case.

InuYasha is very comfortable in Kagome’s era, and the series goes out of the way to show this. In volume twenty-three, after a tough battle InuYasha stays at her house for a night. He takes a bath with Souta (although the hot water freaks him out and he comes… streaking into Kagome’s room in a rather hilarious scene), and relaxes. But the pinnacle of this chapter comes when he falls asleep on Kagome’s bed. It’s a big deal, and is touted as such. Kagome’s only seen him asleep a few times before, and for him to fall asleep so soundly in her era shows a high level of comfort. He is for lack of a better phrase ‘dead to the world.’ He also falls asleep on her bed at a later point, in volume forty of the manga.

In volume thirty four of the manga, another significant event occurs in her time. (There are more chapters there that I have not felt it necessary to mention.) He meets her modern day friends. (Something that I have to admit I never expected to happen.) Wearing a bandanna to cover his ears, InuYasha displays a remarkable maturity and ease around them that surprises even Kagome. He is not ill at ease or looking for a way out. He appears perfectly fine with talking to the set of three girls, even asking them a few questions of his own. (Kagome’s greatest fear is presumably that they’ll find out about her secret double life, but InuYasha seems to understand that discussing that is a no-no.)

I believe that when all is said and done, InuYasha could easily live in Kagome’s era. I don’t subscribe to the belief that the well will close, but if it does I think he’ll end up staying with her. He is far too dependent on her to allow separation, and it’s just not Takahashi’s style to give anything but happy endings. Even if they don’t have to ‘pick one time’ (as I don’t think they will) they will inevitably spend more time in one jidai than the other. Kagome’s life lies in her era when it comes down to it. InuYasha really does not have much in his own that is not connected to her, so it would make little sense for him not to be the one that gives up their home. After all, as he said himself, his home is not a place, but a person. Where Kagome is, is home.

I do not think she would have gone out of the way to show his comfort in her era, as well as letting him travel there in the first place if she didn’t intend something by it.

It's a Cultural Thing



With a gentle smile upon her features, Kagome bravely snatches InuYasha’s hand in hers. After taking a moment to register, he clasps his hand back, returning the gesture. The manga and the anime both make note to focus just on their hands.

InuYasha and Kagome’s relationship is based on small physical touches quite often. However, these ‘small’ actions are much more than just ‘sweet gestures.’

In the Japanese culture, and even more so in a time like sengoku jidai, holding hands is something reserved exclusively for romantic couples. By taking InuYasha’s hand, Kagome is asserting that she has romantic feelings for him. By returning it, he is letting her know that his feelings are the same.

After this scene, InuYasha changes. He never touches anyone below the shoulder except Kagome. Odd thing to note? Not really. For a man to lay a hand on a girl above the shoulder is how one would touch a friend, but to do so below denotes an action exclusive to someone he feels romantically about.

Even before that, when asked by Miroku about the issue InuYasha thinks “But, that... That means telling Kagome we're breaking up...?”

Kagome and InuYasha are a couple. They aren’t ‘intended,’ and they’re not two people who ‘love each other but are still in a state of friendship.’

While it is true that the pair of them may not have committed themselves to a long-term relationship, this is impossible because of their current circumstances.

But in the manga they stand within inches of each other most of the time, they snuggle for no particular reason at several points in the series. He’ll wrap his arms around her, pulling her towards him. Quite often after a battle, she’ll walk up and lean into him.

Such is their physical contact that to outsiders in sengoku jidai, the two would appear as committed married lovers. The cultural difference is one of the major factors contributing to lack of appreciation of the depth of this relationship in the American fandom.

They have not been skirting around their feelings for forty volumes of manga. They know their feelings (although in my opinion neither of them understand the depth of the other’s feelings) but cannot yet fully enact on them.

Anime Only Events



The reasons I chose to stick to the manga story of this relationship are several. There are a few integral scenes cropped out of the anime interpretation, including one that (I feel) is absolutely vital to their growing relationship as well as the intents of the characters. In removing this, I think that the viewing audience has a skewered vision of the motivation behind InuYasha and Kagome. That being the ‘a gentle scent’ scene referred to above. This, as with many other manga Kagome/InuYasha moments, is replaced with a comedic ‘osuwari!’ scene.

The ‘osuwari’ ploy is in my opinion, highly overdone in the anime. While she rarely uses it in the manga anymore, I don’t exaggerate in saying that I think she sits him about one hundred extra times in the anime.

In addition, the physical contact is heavily lessened in the anime. I am not sure why this is the case, but it is. Kagome rides a bicycle throughout much of the 167 episodes, while in the manga she loses it fairly early on and rides exclusively on InuYasha’s back, walks, or if she’s upset at him, hitches a ride on Kirara.

There are times in which we see InuYasha bandage Kagome’s wounds and vice versa, that are directly replaced with someone else in the group engaging in that task. One arc the ‘fateful night in togenkyou’ arc, which featured heavy development on the part of their characters, fell in volume nine of the manga, but didn’t show up until episode fifty-seven (paralleling to volume twenty-one of the manga) of the anime.

I really have no idea of the reasoning behind all these heavy changes, but they’re there. In the case of the overdone osuwari, I would venture to guess it’s to make for more comedy. But as for the rest, I don’t know.

This is not to say that there are no anime only additions that enhance their relationship (or rather, play upon facets of it that are already present in canon). There most definitely are.

Due to the inevitable addition of anime only filler, as well as the four movies connected to the anime, we do gain several moments between the two that are most definitely worth mention.

The first movie “A Love That Transcends Time,” focuses heavily on their relationship throughout the entirety of its nearly two hours. (In the case of this movie, it could be argued as ‘semi-canon,’ since Takahashi herself was one of the primary writers for it.)

Perhaps because of that, in my opinion, this is the movie that sticks truest to the manga depiction of Kagome and InuYasha. The casual touches and blushes are there, and heck there’s even a point in which he bandages her wound. (He sucks the blood off her finger in a rather affectionate gesture and uses her handkerchief to bandage a small incision on her finger.)

Later on, Kagome is possessed by the movie’s villain, Menoumaru. Under possession, she has been commanded to kill InuYasha. In a scenario similar to the one presented in the Tsubaki arc InuYasha refuses to run. This is intended, as with that event as a direct contrast to the betrayal scene between Kikyou and InuYasha.

The primary scene in this film occurs when Kagome finds herself trapped in her own era after the possession with little hope of getting back. When she is leaning up against Goshinboku, because of their ‘connection’ InuYasha finds himself able to communicate with her through the Goshinboku in his era. There, they share a hug and InuYasha tells her “I need you.”

It is with his encouragement, and understanding his need to have her there beside him that Kagome works up the motivation to figure out a way to return to InuYasha.

The second film, “The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass” presents what is undoubtedly the essential anime only scene to fans. That is, Kagome and InuYasha’s first kiss. Once again playing on facets that have already been explored in canon, this occurs when Kagome fearlessly approaches InuYasha in his berserk form. He has been placed under a spell that is speedily draining him of his human heart, and Kagome’s words, as well as her kiss are what restore him to his normal state. Touched, he returns the kiss and wraps his arms around her fiercely.
Although it is often forgotten, there is another scene in this movie that strikes me as just as exhibiting of the strength of the bond the two share. Earlier on, Kagome fires a purity arrow at the villainess, Kaguya. Unfortunately, Kaguya uses a mirror she carries to reflect the arrow back and it heads straight towards InuYasha. (Who is currently bound to a tree by vines. The series does love to continually parallel the original betrayal scene.) Without thought, Kagome leaps up and blocks the arrow with her own body. Fortuitously, an enchanted robe that is a plot point of the film catches between the arrow and Kagome’s body. So, while it does penetrate, the magical properties of the robe prevent it from being fatal. (Which there is little doubt it would have been otherwise, showing that she values his life over her own without a question.)

Beyond the movies, in my opinion the most significant anime only additions come in the form of the filler episodes that take place in Kagome’s era. This is an elaboration of the idea shown in the manga that InuYasha is substantially more relaxed and at ease in her era than he is his own, as well as the unique bond he has forged with Kagome’s family.

Episode ninety serves as a wonderful example of this. In this comedic filler, Kagome and InuYasha play ‘matchmaker’ for little Souta. He has his heart set on a girl in his class, but can’t bring himself to tell her as much.

InuYasha and Kagome make a trip to the grocery store in this episode, and it’s obvious that he is quite relaxed, even greatly enjoying himself. Kagome takes his hand, and InuYasha's bashful nature comes shining through.
There are several anime filler scenes in which we see brotherly interactions between InuYasha and Souta (who calls him, Inu-no-niichan, basically ‘older brother InuYasha’), and an open respect and dutiful attitude from him towards Kagome’s mother.

It is my belief that the anime’s greatest strength as far as ‘additions’ comes in the form of these modern jidai filler events. Although they are comedic quite often, they serve to explore the characters in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Something that, with the constant threat of Naraku at hand, we don’t often get to see.

Fandom Feelings



A collection of statements I’ve gathered from various places on livejournal. Different types of fans share their views on the pairing.

One of the things I like best about InuYasha/Kagome is how friendship-based it is. Though they obviously have romantic feelings for each other, they are not an overly romantic couple, and I find that appealing. Yes, they have plenty of fluffy moments in the animanga, but there aren't any passionate kisses (except in movie 2, of course) or overly dramatic declarations of "I love you." Instead, they have simple, quiet moments of sitting beside each other being comfortable, and those moments are perfect.

Also, they prove that two people can have fights and still care for each other. Just because they share a deep bond of trust doesn't mean that they're going to be the perfect, pretty couple. No, having trust means that you can fight with each other and yet know deep down that you still care for one another and will be there for each other when the time comes.

Though they're young (as many anime characters are), they've built a strong relationship that isn't easily forgotten. I think their bond is too deep to fade away with the passage of time, due largely to the depth of their friendship. They weren't in love at first sight, and they aren't in lust. They love each other, plain and simple. They accept each other, even if they irritate each other at times. No relationship is perfect, especially a good relationship, and that's what makes InuKag so wonderful.- nesslyquik, Kagome/InuYasha fan.

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What attracts me to them more than anything is that there really is no stronger of the two, if you think of it from all viewpoints, rather than just physical. Kagome accepts him for who and what he is, which no one (aside from Mama Izayoi) ever really has, and InuYasha will always be at her side whenever she's in any danger. Also, InuYasha and Kagome have a well balanced relationship, and they've both grown so much since the day they met each other. InuYasha begins to learn that being a full blooded demon isn't all it's cracked up to be, and Kagome learns to appreciate luxuries a lot more (bed, food, etc.) and doesn't take anything in life for granted. Together, they've overcome many battles, both physical and verbal, and forgive each other very quickly. I *LOVE* this pairing; definitely not your typical "average school girl meets cute guy" scene.- sonkikyo, Kikyou fan.

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I have been a Kagome/Inuyasha shipper for over five years. They are the ship I can always come back to. They're such a powerfully effective couple because of their quiet, strong dedication to one another. They don't declare it, they aren't obvious about it, but it's there, and it affects everything that they do. Kagome is willing to sacrifice so much just to give Inuyasha as much happiness as she can, but she does it without compromising who she is, what makes her strong. Inuyasha has so many issues and fears and problems and yet his love for Kagome has begun to run so deeply that it's what he often relies upon - to heal, to feel wanted, worthy. He's very insecure, and Kagome has begun to make it so that he does not need his tough "I'm strong, I don't need anything, all I want is power" mask that he used to show to so many. They are one of those couples in which their love has begun to define them - "She is Kagome, who loves Inuyasha." "He is Inuyasha, who loves Kagome." It's just an inseparable part of their identity. Take that away, and they aren't really Inuyasha and Kagome anymore.- vitanifyrewolf

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I was just rereading the early manga volumes, and again appreciating the changing dynamic of our lead pairing. Kagome is the first one to treat Inuyasha as a person. She comes from outside the era where hanyou are ostracized by all, and that does not cloud her judgment. From the very beginning, he appreciates her warmth and acceptance, and grows to rely on her more and more as time goes on. They both save each others' lives for times beyond count, and learn to work as an efficient team. Even through all the hardships and resurrection of Kikyou, Kagome continues to believe in Inuyasha (even when he pisses her off, she always forgives in the end.) It is this faith and friendship that keeps him coming back: she has healed his heart, and he comes to understand this.

Kagome is probably the one of them who falls in love first, but Inuyasha isn't far behind. What I love most about the two is that their relationship is not static: it evolves and deepens throughout the series as they grow and learn. Kagome is Inuyasha's guiding light and source of strength; he is her protector in a strange, faraway world. He is ready to die for her, but she wants him to live for her, so that she may do the same for him.

And they really do seem to be each other's best friends, as well. What's there not to love about them? - hallowd, "InuYasha" fan for several years.
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The level of trust and support between these to is absolutely amazing, and is something that Inuyasha and Kikyou simply did not have. I don't know if you count the movies as canon, but when Kagome was being controlled in one of them and was about trying to kill Inuyasha, he stood firm and refused to run away, choosing to believe in Kagome. Likewise when Inuyasha goes full demon it frightens Kagome, but she still chooses to stick by him and help him every time even though it's dangerous. It is perfectly clear that neither Kagome nor Inuyasha would ever believe that the other would betray them.- calophi, Kagome/InuYasha and Kikyou fan

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I've been a mild Inu/Kag shipper for about 3 years. The pairing doesn't excite and thrill me to the point that I obsess about it the way I do some other pairings. I rarely spend time thinking about what a great couple they are, and I don't create things like fanart, fanfic, and websites for them, but they're a fixture of the series for me. I just can't imagine the either of them seriously ending up with anyone else. They're a sweet, well-developed pairing and I'm confident that the creator herself puts a lot of effort into developing them as a couple. I don't mind occasional, well-done ventures into exploring alternative pairings, but I don't really find them believable, nor do I really see the point in breaking up such a well established pairing.- elffromspace

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I absolutely ADORE Inuyasha/Kagome. They just work so well together! Kagome is the first person (and perhaps the only) that Inuyasha fully trusts in his life besides his mother, and so she is the only person he can really act like himself around and just be comfortable with. And Kagome is so selflessly loyal that she stays with him even after he "chooses" Kikyou (which I believe he did out of obligation, not true love). She sees who he really is and loves him for it without expecting or wanting him to change. After 167 episodes and 40 volumes of manga, the hope that these two will FINALLY get together is really the only reason I still follow the series.- jay_chan, fan for four years.

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I think a lot of the series's attraction is in InuYasha and Kagome themselves. They're so *human* and real- you can completely relate with them. And also- their relationship-- it's so deep and meaningful. Not just countless "I love yous" like most shoujo anime pairings, but true, deep love. Unlike most romance, theirs is based solely on trust and love, and not physical attraction. They love each other for the person inside, and I think more shows (anime, tv, movie, etc) need to depict love like that. That's the real form of love, right there. Their reliance in one another, in fighting together and just in day-to-day life is just amazing...and I doubt they even realize how deep it goes themselves. Also- the fact they have become a "home" for one another at just the young age of 15 really shows that this is the love of a lifetime. If I ever have to fall in love- this would be the type of romance I'd want. Forget the fairytale bullshit, a relationship built on the foundation of trust and devotion like this is the best kind you can have.- tailfluff

Conclusion



This manifesto is a consummation of years of love for this pairing. And yet despite its length there are many aspects that I didn’t even touch upon.

Kagome and InuYasha’s is an amazing story, and one that has yet to be concluded. It’s a unique love story that has captivated many thousands of fans worldwide. And deservedly so.

Because anywhere I go, I’m home if you are there beside me.