Rin looked around, staying low to the ground. Her senses were heightened greatly. She moved on her hands and feet as the prowled slowly, trying to catch the scent of food. Then she found it. It was only a whiff, a quick scent, but Rin caught it. She prowled closer, careful not to make a sound, eyes straight on the little mouse. She lay low, putting one foot in front of the other at a time. She steadied her wagging tail. She drew back her front paws, towering above the unexpecting creature. Then she pounced, her claws landing directly on the mouse's spine. But one second after she pounced, a net drew over her, trapping her. A strong scent of perfume came over her before she was carried away...

Rin awoke from this nightmare. It has been the same dream over and over again, but now it is stronger than ever. It felt so real, not hazy like any other dream. Rin thought she was going crazy. I have to tell someone about this before I go crazy! Rin thought. She got into her work clothes and climbed into the elevator. If anyone knew what was going on, it would be Yubaba.

The elevator stopped and Rin got off. She walked out and knocked on the door. The first, second, third, and fourth layers of doors opened up as Rin walked quickly into Yubaba's office.

"What is it now?" Yubaba asked boringly, checking some random papers. She barely looked up. Rin crinkled her nose as a strong scent of perfume overcame her.

"It's me, Rin," Rin said. "I've been having this strange dream lately. It's been happening for over a week now, and it's only getting worse. What's happening to me?"

"Ah," Yubaba answered, finally looking up. "You are a Lost Spirit, Rin."

"Lost Spirit?"

"Yes. There are many different types of spirits. Everything from the Great Moon Spirit to simple animal spirits. You see, each spirit represents something in the human world. In the human world, they are what they represent. In the Spirit World, they are in their spirit form. But the week of winter solstice and summer solstice is when all spirits must come to the Spirit World otherwise they lose their spirit form. The opposite happens during the Autumn and Spring Equinox. The spirits would lose their material form and all that's left is the spirit."

"But can't spirits in their spirit form wander into the human world?" Rin asked, thinking of Haku.

"Yes," Yubaba answered, "but only for a short while. Otherwise, their spirit form would slowly fade away. And if they already lost their material form, then they will soon fade from existence."

"They die!?" Rin exclaimed.

"Yes. Spirit food will slow down this process, but the spirit can only last at most for a week even with spirit food." Rin gaped at Yubaba.

Yubaba continued, "Spirits that have lost their spirit form are called Lost Elementals because they have forgotten who they are. Spirits that have lost their material form are called Lost Spirits because they have forgotten what they are and why they were placed on this planet. They have lost their purpose. Usually Lost Spirits were meant to wander the Spirit World forever until time ceased to exist, but that all changed when I came. I had a vision to help Lost Spirits. To make use of them. To give them a new purpose. And thus this bathhouse was created."

"But what does that have to do with my dream?"

"You, Rin, are a Lost Spirit. Everyone who works here is one. You are simply going through a phase. Those dreams were once memories of who you once were."

"But, but they were amazing!" Rin exclaimed. "I want to have my material form back!"

"I'm afraid that is impossible, Rin," Yubaba said, pouring out some tea. "Once you have lost your material form, you can't get it back."

"But, but..."

"I know it's hard," Yubaba patted Rin on the shoulder. "But you'll get over it soon. Soon you'll see what an amazing life I have in store for you here."

Rin nodded slowly and walked out the many doors, still digesting the information. A Lost Spirit? Something was missing. Something else Yubaba wasn't telling her. But what was it... Rin put a hand on her head. She was going to take the day off. Right now, she was going to take a nap.