I think my favorite from the beginning has been Kagome. I think many of us (myself included) have discounted her charcter as the "damsel in distress type" simply because yes, she often simpers, whines, and calls out for someone to save her. But honestly, the poor girl is freshly 15! And a modern day 15, not feudal era "I'm ready to start poppin' out those babies" 15 -- Think freshmen in high school. And still she lives up to her duties in recovering the Shikon shards, regardless of the fact that she basically had no trained skill to take on such an undertaking.
Then there's the male. I think I've always had, and probably always will have a soft spot for Jinenji, how can you not? He's just so kind.
--Aiko