Disclaimer: you know it, I know it, the owners of RK know, it. That all rights belong to them, not me. Just borrowing the character, nothing else.
Dear Kenshin,
I brought Kenji back today. Kaoru seems very happy to see her son has come home. Her eyes practically sparkled when he said "Tadaima." Imagine what they would do for you.
If Kenji was that hard to bring home, you will be even worse for Sano. I got him to come back by battling him. Sakabatou vs a Katana. That boy really takes after you. He's a real Tekken, lightning fast. But it was what you told me once that allowed me to win. Every strike has the experience of the warrior behind it. Kenji is still young and has not many battles, but I could see that at heart, he is also a swordsman. None of his blows are just swings. They all entail his warrior's spirit.
So now he has the Sakabatou. I gave it to him as his Genpuku. So just like you have always wanted, your son now has your sword.
You might be glad to know too that Hiko-san did not teach Kenji the succession technique. He told me that he plans to be the last Hiko, and doesn't want Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu to go on anymore. He never intended to teach Kenji any more than basic sword skills.
So I guess the style ends with you. Maybe now a sword can be what Kaoru always thought it was. A tool to protect, not a tool to kill.
"Kenshin, eat up. You need your strength if he are gonna get you home in time." Sano tossed him some smoked fish, but Kenshin only looked at it with a blank stare, murmuring familiar names.
"Yeah, you are right… it is a bit bland. But I can't do much about that now can I?" He rummaged through his pack to see if there was anything else left worth eating. All the fish wasn't really helping Kenshin work up any strength. As his hand shuffled through his belongings, his skin felt the soft caress of silk.
He pulled it from the bag and remembered the letters. He stroked the soft fabric, letting fond memories of home wash over him before unwrapping the letters. 'maybe… maybe it will help."
Sanosuke rose from the tiny fire and sat next to Kenshin. He took Kaoru's hair ribbon and draped it over Kenshin's neck like a scarf. Kenshin fidgeted from the new presence upon his shoulders. "Its Kaoru's ribbon. The blue one she liked to wear so much." Sano explained quietly.
Kenshin's eyes softened and his lips moved slowly to murmur her name.
"Well here goes nothing. I guess I'll read them, since you can't." He unfolded the first piece of paper. "Dear Kenshin, I don't understand why …."