two bodies one soul

Kikyou and Kagome, the ever controversial subject. They are so completely opposite but somehow, they are the same. After all, they do share the same soul. As for their relationship, it's quite complex and psychological the more the series goes on and when Kagome finally comes to terms with it - Kikyou dies. Kikyou's take on the relationship and rivalry between the two? Personally, I think that Kikyou learned to trust Kagome long before the younger girl paid Kikyou any mind.

However, it's also important to understand that not only has Kikyou had more responsibility in her life, as the miko in charge of protecting the Shikon no Tama, is older, was raised quite differently - Kikyou is also in love with the same man as her reincarnation is. The difference there is that Kikyou has trained all her life against letting her emotions run things, and the only time that she did resulted in her death. Therefore Kikyou looks at the situation with a level head, comprehends that Kagome is a powerful miko and entrusts her bow to her. Kikyou, after that first and only attempt to drag him with her, realizes that things between her and Inuyasha would never be the same. She is content with helping out every once in a while and tries to portray this to Kagome by refusing to see Inuyasha, entrusting her with items and help. The fandom does not understand this; Inuyasha chases after Kikyou throughout the story, not the other way around.

I'm sorry to say, but it's a fact that from the beginning, Kagome is the immature one out of the two. Then again though, I think Kagome represents perfectly the way human selfishness has evolved since ancient times. Kagome is the present and Kikyou is the past. Kagome, being a modern girl, starts out by being very self-centered and naive. Evidence of this is most clearly demonstrated by the way Kagome chooses to remain at Inuyasha's side - even knowing that he loved Kikyou - and still takes it out on him and has the nerve to get upset when Inuyasha and Kikyou meet. Considering that Kagome becomes jealous over something that becomes less and less of a romantic meeting I think is the typical reaction of a modern day 15 year old female.

However, for the most part she doesn't stay that way; and I believe that it's majorly by the help of Kikyou that Kagome had most of the character development that she does in the series - which is extremely important. Kikyou does things without explaining why, and so people don't understand her. For example the entire ordeal with Kikyou trying to 'kill' Kagome. Lest you forget, Kikyou is a master archer and Kagome was not even five feet in front of her. If Kikyou wanted Kagome to die, then Kagome would be dead. Instead, I think that Kikyou was trying to test Kagome and prepare the younger girl for the harsh reality of the world - to prepare her for future events.

It's especially important to notice Kikyou and Kagome's interaction before the older miko's death. Not only does Kikyou entrust Kagome with her life, she believes that Kagome can defeat Naraku. Kagome finally comes face to face with her jealousy, Kikyou shows Kagome how much of a person she has grown by allowing the girl to shoot her and then leaves everything up to her reincarnation by finally giving in and allowing herself to die. The less than friendly interactions between the two in the early series, I think, was necessary to show this kind of character development.