Dining Hall -- Masanobu Manor

Byakuya’s chuckled quietly. “I hope the gardens are as beautiful as you hope. They are my family’s pride and though I cannot spend as much time in them as I have wished, there are personal touches in certain places. And in any case, I believe it will be enough to prove your brother a fool if wishes to miss this particular chance.”

"Surprises at the Masanobu Manor": (continued)

It was no time and Makino and Kin walked into the dining room. Kin taking his place at the head of the table like their Grandfather and the rest around the table. When she walked in she saw Shirou wave her over to sit next to Riku, thus putting Riku between Shirou and herself.

She leaned Riku's way and whispered, "I hope he did not scare you. He is relatively harmless." Her eyes lifted to look at her youngest brother.

Riku smiled and flushed slightly. He shook his head. "No, he was a perfect gentleman."

"Makino, would you like to introduce your friend who is joining us?"

Makino looked her Grandfather, Takehiro Tori's, direction. "Yes Ojīchan," Makino looked at her Grandfather, "Ojīchan, this is Riku Asuhara," She looked over at Riku, "Riku-chan this is my Ojīchan, Takehiro Tori." She then looked between the two brothers who had yet to meet Riku. "Riku-chan, this is Kouen and Hakuryuu. Hakuryuu, Kouen, Riku Asuhara."

Takehiro nodded curtly to the young boy, "Your compliments are appreciated, Riku. It is not often that one receives such heartfelt recognition, and I am truly humbled by your graciousness."

Takehiro looked around the table as Koko started serving them, "so any new developments in the cleanup effort?"

"Jiro, Haku, Rin, Shin, Mitsuo and myself volunteered last night. Things are starting to come together, but its still a long road ahead." Makino told her grandfather.

"Are you going back out this evening, Maki-chan?" Kouen asked.

Makino's head bobbed slowly, "we figured we would help out every night that we could." She looked around the table at her brother's, "Everyone needs to do their part or we will never get Soul Society back on its feet." 

Riku figured they were talking about cleaning up after the disaster that was the earthquakes. Soul Society was a mess. So much so, Riku wasn't even entirely sure that he would be able to come over to see Makino that week. He looked down at his folded hands in his lap. He knew his older siblings wanted to do something to help out. And not in the usual way they did things. Stolen dirty money would only help so much in this situation. Not only that, but it would make them a target.

"And what sort of resources are they looking for at this time?" Shirou asked. "More hands and elbow grease or something more in the way of funding for repairs?"

Makino looked around Riku at Shiro, "both, but if you're to scared to get your hands dirty," she smirked at her youngest brother. "Maybe working the healing stations would suit you best? You know how hard it is on the healers to keep up with a mess like this."

"I am shocked that they have not called the Goddess in to assist." Kin commented.

"I got to meet her last time she was here helping. She is actually a very sweet lady." Kouen's smile turned to a smirk, "to bad the Snake already has his coils wrapped around her." 

"That is enough," Takehiro looked at his third-born grandson, Kouen, "you know I do not like that kind of talk at my dinner table."

Riku watched as Kouen bowed his head and apologized. He cleared his throat gently and smiled nervously as the Tori elders looked over at him. "Maybe... maybe I could get my older siblings to help out. My brothers would definitely be willing to help out with the cleaning." He paused and scrunched his nose. "Well, maybe not Satoshi. He's more of a planner than a doer. But Naoru and Shigeo definitely."

"It's a very noble act to help others when they are in need, Riku-chan. I am sure your family will be honored to step up and help the ones in need." Takehiro stated.