A powerful Miko to which was entrusted the purification of the Shikon no Tama.  It was to her that fell the duty to protect the village from youkai with her never failing skill with the bow and arrow.  She didn’t kill Inuyasha when she met him the first time, later confiding in him that her reason was they were very much alike.  He was part youkai and therefore didn’t fit in anywhere.  She was Miko and was therefore required to be alone.  She soon found herself wanting to just be a regular woman and live her life with Inuyasha, if he agreed to use the Shikon no Tama to become human.  Once he wished on it, there would be no more need for a Miko to protect it.  Naraku made her believe Inuyasha attacked her for the jewel, leaving her to die in a field, to make her attack Inuyasha as well, hoping she would kill him.  Instead, she sealed the hanyou to the Sacred Tree.  Before she dies she asked that the Shikon no Tama be burned with her so that no youkai would ever possess it.  She was later revived by Urasae by using the cremated remains of the Miko and part of Kagome’s soul, but instead of reviving to her old self, Kikyo now only harbors a deep hatred for the hanyou she believes betrayed her trust.  She’ll go to any lengths to kill Inuyasha and bring him to Hell with her.