Shikon Jewel
	The Shikon Jewel was created hundreds of years ago in a cave near Sango's village. It is the product of a the merger of a human named Midoriko's soul with that of a group of demons who were trying to kill her. Eventually the jewel was intrusted to Kikyo to care for, and Inuyasha debated using it's power to become fully human so that he could live with Kikyo. The jewel was burned with Kikyo's body, but when Kagome ventured back in time the jewel came out of her body.
	The completed jewel resembles a glowing pink sphere approximately the size of a plum. If the jewel becomes tainted by evil, the pink glow turns black.
	The jewel grants incredible powers to anyone who possesses it. Even a small shard of the jewel is capable of bestowing great powers to any human or demon that holds it.
	The shattering of the jewel is what begins the quest for Inuyasha and Kagome, brings them into contact with their friends, and leads to their paths crossing with Naraku, who is also attempting to gain the jewel and increase his powers.