I actually got that -- for Willow and Xander and Dawn, that was not about hurting Buffy but about getting her to stop for a second and listen. Can you follow as well as lead? aka Trust us, as we trust you over and over. Please, Buffy, we need another way.

But she was so scared and hurt and tired that she couldn't see past what she'd been doing. Once she had a chance to get some rest, she could think of another way.

But yeah, for the principal and for Anya and the Potentials, it was about showing Buffy out, ganging up against her. Not for Xander, Willow, and Dawn, though.