Disclaimer: I can't own Inuyasha...I'd never let him out of the house.

DON'T KILL ME! -hides- Well, guys, I am completely and utterly sorry that I've taken this much time to do a short chapter. Things have been hectic in life, and an absolutely horrible bout of a lack of ideas. Yeah. So, here's this, and I hope I'll get back to posting regularly soon.

Raithya: Goodness, girly. That's quite a review. Let's see what I can clear up. Kagome's purest form is naked because they were in her mindscape. Midoriko died and created the Shikon Jewel in her battle armor, so that's how she was imprinted on the Jewel. It all made sense to me, I swear! Right now, there is no clear way to cleanse Kagome's soul without removing what's causing it. There might be later though. And that second paragraph...I just can't bring myself to answer. You'll just have to see! Thanks for my longest review!

darkpriestressofhell: Thankies, and keep reading!

Cold Kikyo: Yep, Kikyo needs to be stopped. Let's hope they can do it!

vi3tdream27: I shall take that as a compliment. Thanks muchly!

Mystic Arrow: Kikyo has her reasons. Let's see what they are!

YuniX-2: I had a flash of the dementors too. But who is the mysterious chanting figure? Anyone have any guesses? And I honestly couldn't think of anything else to call them that wouldn't have been long and obnoxious to type out (like all their names). So they'll most likely stay 'the conspirators', at least until I figure what else to call them. :)

fullmetal-inugrl8484: Well, my dear, I'm not quite sure what to say to that. Stay safe, okay?

Chapter Sixteen – So Many Questions…

Kagome glanced around the little gathering, having just finished telling them of her dream. She had flat out refused to move from her sitting position on the dojo floor, even as the others moved to stand against the walls or sit on the bleachers. She did allow Inuyasha to sit beside her and hold her hand, though Kouga hovered nearby. She had told the whole thing without any breaks, and now a tense silence hung over the dojo as everyone contemplated the dream.

"So…this jewel…is inside you?" Kouga asked, obviously confused by the whole thing. "Where at?"

Kagome closed her eyes for a moment, remembering back and focusing. A soft warmth began spreading through her body, and she placed a hand on its source, left side, just below the ribs.

"Right here. Midoriko said that's where it is, and that's where I can feel it." She smiled slightly and opened her eyes again, glancing among her fellows. "She said removing it and making a pure and unselfish wish on it would make it useless to whoever's after it, but they apparently don't know that I'm the one who has it." She turned her gaze to the floor then, fighting back the tears of pain and betrayal that were threatening to spill out.

"Kagome," she glanced up to find Vash kneeling down in front of her, "did Midoriko say how to get it out?"

She ran a hand over her eyes and shook her head. "No, she didn't. But I imagine the only way would be to cut me open and go digging around for it." She attempted a smile at this, but failed miserably. She of all people knew how weak her body was, and from the looks on everyone else's faces, they were thinking the same thing. She would likely not survive such an operation.

A sudden warmth and a flash of red surrounded her, shocking her momentarily. She craned her neck around to look up at Inuyasha, who gave her a smile from his position behind her.

"We'll find a way, Kagome. Can't have you dying on us, can we?"

"No, indeed we can't." This time it was Ezekiel, who gave her a wink from his sitting position on the bleachers.

"Nope, that wouldn't do at all." This time it was Caligo, who was perched on a stack of mats with her trademark grin in place.

"We'll fight for you, Kagome." Kouga was at her side again, clasping her hand between his.

"Enough moping! Let's get out there and kick some major butt!" Ryfen yelled from the top of the bleachers, her fingers up in a peace sign.

The teachers simply chuckled and shook their heads.

"Caligo, your friend is in trouble."

All heads turned to the dojo door, Ryfen nearly falling off the bleachers in the process. Just inside the doorway stood a young girl, perhaps seven or eight. She was dressed completely in white, matching the hair that framed her face. Her eyes were deep, dark, near black, if not actually black, and her feet were bare. But the aura the girl gave off set everyone shivering. She seemed made of nothingness, a void that had taken on the shape of a human. She cocked her head slightly, never blinking, and spoke again in her whisper of a voice.

"Caligo Kiya Hebeny, your friend is in trouble."

As one, their gazes turned to lock on the albino neko, who was staring at the girl with a puzzled look on her face.

"What do you mean? Kagome is fine now…"

The white girl simply shook her head. "That is not who I speak of." And with that, she simply faded away.

"But…who else…" Cali's eyes suddenly widened and she took off through the door, heading back towards the school. "No…not him too…not Kallos…"

They found her later in the clinic, hunched over the bed that held a very beat and very unconscious Kallos. They hadn't stayed long, taking only enough time to give their support to Cali before scattering back to their rooms for the night. Inuyasha and Kagome had stayed behind though, and while Inuyasha kept Cali company, Kagome told Lady Kaede about her dream and the warnings she had received.

Kaede was not surprised. "Aye, child, I have sensed a great amount of power from ye, and unfortunately, from your sister as well." She sighed and settled herself into a chair before the tiny fireplace that lit the room. "However, I am as at a loss as ye on how to remove the Jewel. I doubt ye are up to having an operation."

Kagome shook her head slightly, eyes on the ground. Her last hopeful source of information didn't know any more that herself. But she shoved this into the back of her mind, placed a concerned frown upon her face, and looked back to Kaede.

"What happened to Kallos? He's a full demon, so it should have taken a lot to put him in this state."

Kaede shook her head, her eyes on the fire. "He has been poisoned. Every single wound he contracted refuses to close. I don't know how much more I can do for him." She leaned back with a sigh. "'Twould help if I knew what he fought…but he's been unconscious the whole time."

Kagome froze at this, remembering Cali's words.

"Kallos stayed behind to hopefully distract Naraku."

"Kaede…I think it was the Headmaster."

The old miko turned to her sharply, her only eye widening slightly. "The Headmaster has never told me what kind of demon he is…or actually, what kind of hanyou he is."

Kagome nearly fell over. "Hanyou? He's a hanyou? But…how?"

Kaede shrugged her heavy shoulders. "I know not, child, simply that that is what he is. But be ye warned, don't let this lead ye to believe that fighting him will be any easier. Crafty one, him."