Well… a few notes about my story. Since no one really knows Hiko's really name, I made one up (Soka is just a nickname which his mother calls him…). I don't remember what the name means off hand but if anyone wants to know I can look it up. This is my first fanfiction, reviews would be nice I suppose- I'm not really a writer but this idea just came to me and I decided not to let it go to waste. I'm sorry if there are any grammar errors, I tried my best to proofread, but we all make mistakes sometimes. Thanks…

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, it would be nice if I did, but alas I don't - so please don't sue me….

April 18, 1844: Afternoon of Detachment

Soka-chan… you must take this letter and go live the rest of your life with your father…"

"But why mommy? Why can't I stay with you?"

With struggled breath the mother manages a reply. "Soka, my time is short, my body is so weak that it has already given up, my breath is only coming because if the will of my spirit… I love you Soka and in my heart I wish nothing more than to stay with you…"

"Why does it have to be this way?"

"Soka please just go and live your life with your father."

"But Mommy, I want to stay with you!"

"Please just go!" Several tears escape her eyes and crawl down her face. The young boy stands up, eyes focused on the floor as he goes to leave. He hesitates in the door way.

"… I love you Soka."

"I love your too mommy…"

The woman closes her eyes, not wanting to have her last memory be her son leaving her forever.

The boy exits the small isolation room of the clinic and passes the doctor on his way out the door. The doctor watches the boy with sadness in his eyes. He carries a neatly folded letter, an address printed with precision along the top and a blank starring expression across his face. Only eight, he was too young to fully understand his situation, too young to really understand death. The doctor sighs as he walks into the small recently exited room containing the woman with her eyes closed awaiting death.

"Did he leave yet?"

"Yes"

"Hmmm…" She sighs out her last breath as the doctor picks up her limp wrist. He counts off her pulse.

'1…2…...3……….'

The doctor looks down at the woman, peaceful in eternal sleep, sighs and pulls the sheet over her head.