Although their interaction was initially very adversarial, Kagome and InuYasha's relationship gradually changes over the course of the series, and Kagome's kindness and acceptance of InuYasha has had a noticeable effect on his attitude, something that even Kikyo notices, in volume 8 of the manga. Although the two are often seen fighting, they both have feelings for each other but are too proud to admit them. This doesn't change much throughout the series. He is portrayed as quite protective of Kagome, and often becomes confused when Kagome sees him protecting Kikyo. In many episodes InuYasha has been to Kagome's era, and once met Kagome's friends Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi when he entered her window while they were in her room.[12] To Kagome's surprise, her 'boyfriend' wins them over.
Kagome and InuYasha had a rocky start. Being the reincarnation of Kikyo, Kagome has a very close resemblance to her. Consequently, the resentment InuYasha held for Kikyo at that time was carried over to Kagome. As the series progresses, however, the relationship between Kagome and InuYasha changes for the better. InuYasha’s tough guy facade slowly dissolves and he matures. They fall in love without realizing it. However, Kikyo, InuYasha’s former love, is revived from the grave (using part of Kagome's soul); and InuYasha finds that he still has feelings toward Kikyo. InuYasha decides that he must avenge Kikyo, because she died chasing after him, and he owes her his life. Thus, he is willing to 'break up' with Kagome, although it is clear that he doesn't want to. However, Kagome decides to stay with him anyway when she realizes that she loves him and cannot be happy without him. She believes that InuYasha loves Kikyo more, but she will always stay by his side. In this scene, she and Inuyasha walk back to Kaede's village holding hands. InuYasha's love for Kagome continues to grow, even though he still cares for Kikyo. This intense love triangle becomes one of the main conflicts within the manga/anime.
As a comic relief, the two argue frequently throughout the anime, in some cases about Kikyo, which sometimes ends with Kagome saying osuwari ("sit" in the English dub) and InuYasha splatting to the ground. However, as both characters mature the arguments slowly dissipate, something especially evident in the later chapters of the manga. Miroku, Sango, and Shippo realize that Kagome and InuYasha are in love before the principals do. Indications of the intimacy between them include: holding hands, frequent physical contact below the shoulder, and Kagome allowing InuYasha to rest his head on her lap when he had been heavily poisoned in his human form (as well as Kagome in his). In Japanese culture, such gestures represent obvious feelings of love between two people.