Defensiveness has a social history
Inuyasha's aggression is not simply a genre pose. Rejection from human and demon communities teaches him to expect contempt, so boasting and hostility become ways to control a conversation before someone else defines him as lesser.
Kagome changes the terms of trust
Kagome does not erase earlier grief or accept every outburst. Their relationship grows because she can challenge him and still return to cooperation. Trust therefore becomes repeated evidence, not a single confession or magical solution.
The travelling group creates belonging
Miroku, Sango and Shippo form a group whose members bring separate losses and obligations. Shared travel makes identity practical: Inuyasha belongs when others plan with him, argue with him and rely on him, not when every uncertainty about heritage disappears.
Why Sesshomaru matters
Sesshomaru embodies a rigid claim about bloodline and status. Their conflict makes Inuyasha's mixed heritage a source of tension, while the wider story increasingly measures worth through chosen conduct rather than purity.