A/N: I don't own Bleach or LOTR, read and enjoy! R&R

Chapter 4

Long ebony hair shone like midnight as the moonlight graced upon it. A tiny sigh escaped the owner's lips as she stared at the moon longingly. "Where are you?"

Rukia was aggravated. Ichigo had been missing for god knows how long. Yet no one seem to realize let alone remember who that boy is. People had thought her crazed. She was forced to keep it to herself when she heard she was about to be sent to Mayuri had she utter another word of nonsense as such.

Tears began to stream down her cheeks like a waterfall as she sobbed tiredly at the absence of her lover.

She felt a hand on her shoulder and snapped around quickly to see who it was. His hair was slick-back and black in colour. He stood a good 6ft tall. His eyes were brownish gold and had a soft glow upon his skin. He was wearing a white and gold tunic. Instantly, her shinigami instincts told her this was the Soul King. Her eyes widened as she scooted away from him, standing up and bowing low to him. She had not uttered a single word.

The male walked up to her and lifted her chin so that her eyes would meet his. "I know what ails you little vaizard. And you are not losing your mind. You have my word to vouch for." He smiled warmly to Rukia.

Shock was an understatement, she was stunned and was about to burst into tears. Someone believed her and it was the soul king himself! She could die of happiness now if it weren't for her feelings for Ichigo.

Tears were threatening to spill from her eyes as the soul king continued, "He is in another world called Middle Earth. Currently he is on a mission. Come, sit beside me young one, we have much to talk about.

Rukia was hesitance as first but the soul king had insisted she would be comfortable as he put a barrier in case someone were to see or hear them. Reluctantly, she sat beside the king and listened to him.

Merry and Pippin started to wonder just how much food was in Ichigo's bag. No matter how many times he gave them food, it just would seem like it wouldn't lessen. It's like there's a vortex that keeps food coming in to his bag. Unknown to them, their guess hit the bulls eye.

Arwen had insisted she left fresh food in his training dimension and had him take them every day. Ichigo had made a necklace for her to enter open a portal to his training world. Though silently he was thankful that she sent fresh food everyday for him.

Many days have passed and they were walking in piles of snow through the misty mountains. Ichigo was cursing under his breath when a familiar evil feeling stirred within him. He heard something whisper in the winds and called out to Gandalf. "Something evil speaks within the winds!"

Almost immediately the grey wizard snapped his attention to mother nature, "It is Saruman! He is trying to bring the mountain down on us! Brace yourself!"

Gandalf started muttering ancient spells to keep the evil at bay but it ended with them being buried by snow. By this time everyone dug themselves out of the snow with Gimli growling, "snows are foes, they burry us dwarves!" Ichigo stood on top of the pile of snow since he managed to jump out of the way in time before the Avalanche happened.

He held out a hand to the dwarf whom accepted grudgingly and hoisted him out of the snow just as he heard Frodo say, "We go through the mines of Moria." Ichigo suddenly tensed. No. the dwarf will be howling in sadness. But if this is what the bearer chooses. He sighed heavily.

Rukia was called to the meeting hall of the captains and shunpoed away. Once there, she was greeted with the sight of the captains and soul king. "Reio-sama" she bowed respectfully. The soul king just waved his hand at the title and grabbed hold of Rukia's hand and guided her to the middle of the hall. He addressed to those present.

"I will send Kuchiki Rukia on an S Level Mission to another world which I won't tell you. There anything she does is by her own choice. None of you are to pursue her or check up on her. She will do anything by her free will."

All eyes widen at the statement. But none made any means to disagree. Yamamoto Soutaicho only had a raised eyebrow but said nothing.

Seeing this, the soul king clasped his hand happily, "Great! Rukia you will depart now! Oh don't worry about your things. Whatever is necessary will be transported along with you. I will send you to your strawberry." He whispered soft enough for her to hear. Her heart thumped loudly as she mouthed a thank you to him.

The soul king touched her forehead and she began to glow. "Before you go my dear, I have a gift. You will find that your senses will be enhanced and your powers be tripled. This is because the evil that lurks there is too powerful." With that she disappeared.

Rukia found herself near a lake and took the time to look down at her. She was wearing an outfit she recognizes from a long time ago. She was wearing a black and red demon slayer outfit with an unknown chain shirt beneath it. It was silver and light. It is called mithril my dear. Stronger than steel and is light. A familiar voice spoke in her head.

The soul king had whispered a few messages in her head before sending her over.

The jewelry you are wearing has different uses. The ring will allow you to have an access to all knowledge and language of the world you are currently in. The necklace will change its colour when an enemy is nearby. And the earrings will allow you to speak to me if you ever have a need to. Just press on one of them and you will be able to speak with me. Or if you wish, I can visit you *chuckles*. Take good care of yourself young one. And remember what I told you before.

Suddenly Rukia heard voices and footsteps approach. She quickly masked herself and hid behind a large boulder from a safe distant.

Normal POV

The fellowship found themselves left to their own devices as the wizard was trying to figure out how to open the door to Moria. Pippin was throwing pebbles into the lake when Ichigo felt a stir of living movement from within it. Quickly, he got in front of Pippin and glared at the hobbit who seem to shrink beneath his intense glare. Just then, he heard Gandalf replied to one of Frodo's question that seem to be the right password.

Without much delay he ushered the hobbits in and when they were in the mine, Ichigo let out a breath he didn't know he held. Just as he thought everything was fine, Sam suddenly shouted, "MR FRODO!" with speed of lightning, Ichigo shunpoed out to slice one of tentacles that were holding Frodo captive. Boromir and Aragorn were hacking and slicing the lower tentacles as Legolas were shooting fast and accurate arrows at the creature.

Ichigo grabbed the falling hobbit and tossed him to Boromir who hurriedly caught him went inside the mine to keep the hobbit away from harm. "Into the mines! Hurry!" Aragorn exclaimed.

Ichigo was about to flash step into the mines when one of the tentacles wrapped around his ankle and lifted him into the air. Ichigo was about to swing zangetsu down upon the creature when one of its tentacles smacked the sword away from his hand.

"Some no mai, Tsukishiro(A/N: First dance, white moon)" Ichigo's heart skipped a beat. He recognizes that voice, that sword technique. The lake started to freeze and so did the tentacles. The creature surely had been frozen to its death as it had already been covered by ice. With a swift movement, Ichigo broke free and landed swiftly in front of the entrance of the mine.

He stood and was about to turn to look for his savior when a red blur sped past him, dragging him into the mine as one of the creatures frozen tentacles broke and fell on the entrance, causing boulders fall and block the entrance, trapping them in.

Gandalf's staff glowed, lighting the dark mines. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief but suddenly sounds of metal clashed as Boromir and Aragorn had their sword on the mysterious stranger's neck while Legolas had an arrow aimed to her head.

"Put your weapons down!" Ichigo roared, startling his comrade. He walked pass them, pushing them and their weapons down. He grabbed the arrow from Legolas' bow and shoved it back to him earning a glare from the elf.

Ichigo stood before his savior with a doubtful but hopeful look. "Rukia…?" he asked. The fellowship stared at the as the stranger pulled down her hood and revealed a beautiful woman who seemed to be in her early twenties. She had a pale healthy skin like an elf. Her hair, they guessed were long and it was black in colour. Though in the dark, it seem to have a soft glow to it. Her eyes were dark sapphire blue. Her lips were thin and pink.

Ichigo's eyes were pooling with tears as he wasted no time and pulled the stranger into a deep kiss. The hobbits gave a low whistle as the previous three men looked at them with different expressions. Boromir had a cheeky grin, Legolas blushed slightly whereas Aragorn looked at them with shock. Gandalf merely chuckled with interest sparking in his eyes.

Rukia wrapped her arms around ichigo's waist and tiptoed to return his feverish kiss. She was already anxious when watching them from afar and given the chance to save him, she took it daringly. He was now kissing her as fiercely as she was returning him. He nibbled her bottom lip softly and was granted access immediately. He ventured through the heated cavern he had longed entered. He tasted every inch and muscle, savoring the taste lovingly. It has been too long and questions can be asked later. Right now all that mattered was her.

However, Rukia pulled away from him slowly as she panted hard for air. She leaned against his chest and smiled softly. Ichigo planted his nose in her hair and inhaled her strong vanilla scent before pulling her in an arm's length away from him and stared into her eyes softly while gripping her shoulders firmly.

"How?" was all he asked. The fellowship seem to be curious too as they all shuffled closer to hear her answer. Rukia just shook her head softly. "Long story strawberry head. I'll tell you on our way out"

A/N: i don't have enough juice to sprout ideas =.="