A/N: I do not own LOTR or Bleach

Chapter 8

They all took a position for themselves while leaving Gandalf to think of the password to enter Moria. Ichigo was eyeing the lake with weary. Something doesn't feel right about this lake. Hah of course there's something wrong with the lake king! There's a loch nest monster in there! I ain't kidding King, something dangerous is in there.

For once the hollow speaks of something intelligent. Ichigo, make sure the fellowship stay away from the waters. Don't waken the dormant creature.

Ichigo, sensing the hobbits near the water, quickly tugged Pippin back and glared at the little man. "I would stay away from the water if I were you. An evil creature is sleeping in there. You wouldn't want to have it awake. Trust me."

Pippin, gulped loudly and stood nearer to Merry when Gandalf answered Frodo's question, "Mellon." The door that was lit by moon light slid open, allowing a path in for the group.

Something was stirring in the lake. Fast as lightning, Ichigo hissed to the group to enter quickly.

The fellowship looked around as Gimli's songs of praises of his cousin was sung came to a halt. "This is no mine, it is a tomb!" boromir roared.

Legolas broke an arrow from a near corpse and scowled menacingly, "Goblins" he said.

Gimli had a denial look twisted with anger on his face when suddenly, "FRODO!" Sam was hacking the creature's tentacles as fast as he could, trying to save his fellow hobbit.

Rukia dashed out after Frodo as did Ichigo. "RUKIA!" Ichigo called out after her and both eyes met for a moment, a silent message passing through them. Rukia nodded her head as she lifted her good arm towards the creature.

"Get back all of you." Ichigo ordered and his squad did so without much said. Orihime quickly created her barrier around them as Ishida and Sado stood beside her and Nel propped up on Sado's shoulder.

A low muttering was heard from Rukia when she muttered, "Hyoga Seiran" a massive wave of ice shot out from her arm and surrounded the creature before swallowing it up, freezing it. Every part of the creature was turned to ice, all but the tentacle that was holding onto Frodo.

Rukia swiftly cut the tentacle off and caught the little hobbit before shunpoing to the fellowship. The non shinigami's had their jaws slacken watching her display of power.

"We must make way to Rohan." Boromir said as he snapped out of his reverie.

"We cannot! It takes too long to walk the way round!" Gandalf argued.

"Then we shall split up"

All eyes turned to Ishida.

"How can you suggest such a thing? We cannot split up for it will be our doom!" Legolas was flabbergasted that one would suggest such an idea.

"No, I think he has a point." Rukia countered.

"Half of us will go through the mines of Moria and seek refuge with the lady elf of Lothlorien. Whereas the other half shall go through the gaps of Rohan and warn the King of the upcoming battle that shall befall his men."

"But his mind is ill with the treacherous word of Saruman." Gandalf countered.

"Who not better than Orihime is left to cure what has not been there before?" Rukia smirked in verbal victory.

"But I must be present for such! So that the he may not counter her with spells she is unaware of!"

"Then we will go to Gondor to persuade the mind of the old coot." Ishida snorted then all went silent.

"Let me follow you then. Who, if not I, am better at persuading my father for preparations of war?" Boromir suggested.

Ichigo shook his head.

"Only my squad shall go leaving two of us to protect the rest. The fellowship must not break til it must. Until then all but me and one more shall stay with you. We cannot catch the enemy's attention. As it is by luck we got through where we are now with our large quantity." Ichigo looked at his comrades, his eyes already issuing out his orders before his words could.

They nodded their head and a new group was born as their old one was split.

Ishida, Sado, Orihime and Renji stood near the lake as they grinned at the remaining members.

"What about Nel?" Sado asked, feeling his heart get heavier at the thought of leaving his cute friend behind.

"Nel will go back to Seireitei and prepare our division for war." Rukia told them as she scribbled down a long note. Ichigo then turned to his favourite arrancar and squat down to her eye level.

"Nel, I need you to go back and inform Ulquiorra and Grimjaww and tell them that war is about to happen in Middle Earth and we need the Espada's help soon. Can you do that?" Nel did a mock salute and grinned at Ichigo

"Yesh!" Ichigo then opened a gate back to Seireitei while Rukia handed her a scroll.

"Don't lose this Nel, give this to Ulquiorra and tell Onii-sama I said hi." She smiled at the little arrancar before hugging her and kissed her forehead. Nel then waved to the fellowship and walked into the gate and back to Seireitei.

"I'm going to miss that little green ball of fire." Gimli sniffled as Legolas chuckled slightly while Aragorn patted his back. "She will be back master dwarf."

"Good luck guys. Try knocking some sense into the old fart. And Renji, try not to kill him. Boromir would be upset." Boromir's face drained as Ichigo told his comrade not to kill his dad.

"But if it is what you must do for the better of the country, so be it. My father is too ill of mind as of late. Send my love to my brother, Faramir if you see him. Tell him he is much missed by his brother." The other group nodded their head before waving one last time and shunpoed away to Gondor.

"We will meet them again. I know we will!" Pippin chirped earning a smack from Merry.

"Ow! What was that for?!" he whined. "Because whenever you say something, bad things happen." Merry snorted walking quickly after the fellowship into the mines of Moria…

Ichigo sighed softly as he leaned slightly onto Rukia as he walked. Rukia, sensing his worry just patted his arm gently. "They'll be fine Ichigo. Don't worry. Those four balance each other out well." She smiled at him, infecting her with her positive thought.

"You wouldn't have to worry about Renji being too rash because Ishida is there. We have Ishida as a long range and strategist while Inoue is both support and healing party. Sado-kun will be the tank for Renji's prowess. See their balanced out. You don't have to worry about Inoue's safety." she squeezed his arm before walking towards Legolas, feeling her heart twist as she spoke of Inoue's safety to Ichigo. Knowing that her beloved strawberry has eyes on another orange head.

They are meant for each other. She thought.

Meh. I don't think so Queen~ maybe it's just your imagination because I feel his eyes on US. Shirohana replied but her words were disregarded by Rukia.

You know king, if you don't tell her, she'll forever misunderstanding your concerns and who your heart belongs to…

The hollow is right Ichigo. You can't be confused too long or she'll be swept away by someone else. Renji has his eyes on her too.

I don't know Zangetsu.. if she likes him I can't fo-

Now hold on a damn minute king! Can't you fucking see she loves you?! Damn you're so darn dense! If you don't do something about it, I WILL COME OUT THERE AND RAVISH HER!

And with that, both voices disappeared from his mind in mute silence, leaving him with their words ringing in his head.

Does she really love me? do I really love her?

The question remains as he watches her laughing heartily with a certain elf. His heart twisted in agony watching her happiness with someone else.

Yes. I love her. I'll make her mine.

He could practically feel his hollow grinning madly as did his zanpakuto.

I love you Rukia. Nobody else…

A/N: Hi! Sorry for the extremely looooong update! I've been busy with work and moving houses and all. Once I start moving I'll take around another few months to update? lols I'm so sorry but I'm continuing the stories I've started! No, it won't be on hiatus to those who were asking, and Yes I'm still alive lol.

But ja, I hope you stay patient with me as I try to finish all my stories one at a time!

Thank you for being patient with me and those that are still reading this story!

ENJOY!