Kikyo is a very powerful priestess.
Although she has much resemblence to Kagome, she's practically the opposite! Kikyo was the guardian of the Shikon jewel.
She was brutally injured when Inu-Yasha thieved the Shikon jewel from her.
Although her power was weak, she ended up pinning our poor little doggie friend to a tree with her arrow, trapping him for the rest of eternity.
Buried along side of her was the Shikon jewel. But somehow the jewel made it's way to Kagome.
Kikyo is obviously in love with Inu-Yasha throughout the whole series.
But, in her eyes he completely betrayed her and murdered her. It has sort of a love/hate feeling to it.