A/N: Sorry about the delay! I've been really sick and because I'm never sick, it really threw me off. I'm back now though! Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews!

Chapter Three

I'm Leaving.

It was cold when Rudy and Liesel next met up. Although the sun shone down and cast shadows on ever object it touched, there was a small chill nipping and pulling at fingers and Liesel's scarf. She had heard shouting from where she sat in the library and upon investigation, she had seen Rudy storming out. Torn between leaving the warmth of the library and going to seek out her friend, Liesel put her book down and crossed her legs underneath her. It had been a few days since The Conversation in Rudy's room. Even in her mind, she could see the capital letters and italics that showed just how important it was to her and Rudy. When she had agreed to it, she thought that Rudy was jesting her. But now, on reflection, she knew he was serious.

Eventually, Liesel's curiosity broke down her reluctance to venture out. So that was how Liesel found herself dressed in her smart new clothes, courtesy of Frau, out in the large garden behind the house. There was an old oak tree set dead centre in the middle of the garden and hanging off the seventh branch from the bottom was a swing, made for a young child. It was upon this swing that Liesel found Rudy. He sat, kicking leaves and dust at nothing in particular and was quietly letting of a harsh sting of German curse words.

"Mama would have burned my backside if she heard me say any of those words." Rudy said looking up as Liesel approached. "Especially in the company of a lady. However...I don't see a lady around these parts." He grinned cheeky at Liesel.

"And Papa always warned me to be polite in front of a gentleman. Although so far, I've only been able to find you." Liesel added as she stood in front of Rudy, hands on her hips. Rudy, in a mature fashion, stuck his tongue out at Liesel.

"What were you shouting about?" Liesel asked him, her curiosity reminding her of the real reason she came out here to find Rudy.

"Oh. You heard that?"

"I think Death himself could hear it Rudy." Liesel moved over to set herself behind the swing and gave it a gentle push. "It sounded cruel."

"It was cruel." Rudy said. He straightened up, turned and looked Liesel in the eye. "He told me to pack a suitcase. A car is coming for me in the morning. I'm leaving Liesel. I'm going to Berlin."

Liesel pushed herself away from the swing and scowled at Rudy. "That joke is not funny Rudy. You shouldn't joke about those things."

"But I'm not. Here, read this." Rudy handed her a crumpled piece of paper. "It's a letter from the Head of the Nazi Party. They sent it last night to Herr Hermann. Instead of me completing my education down here, I'm invited to Berlin's boarding school for Boys. It's apparently the best private school Berlin can offer someone like me."

Liesel took it with shaking hands. What she read was exactly what Rudy had described.

It seemed her world had once more fell at her feet. That familiar fear of being alone crept back into Liesel's mind. Max was gone. Mama and Papa were gone. Her brother gone. Her real Mama gone. And now her Rudy was going? She felt as if the world was playing a sick game on her. She dropped the paper and clenched her hands into fists by her sides.

"Liesel..." Rudy began. Liesel however was not having none of it. How could Rudy be so selfish as to leave her? He was just as selfish as everyone else in this world.

"You are so selfish Rudy. Selfish, selfish, selfish!" She cried out. "First my brother and Mama left me. My real birth family left me. My birth Papa left me as a young child. Then Max left, then Mama and Papa left, along with everyone else. And now you are leaving me."

"Well it's not like I have a choice is it Liesel? Do you think I wish to go to Berlin? Do you think I want to leave you here?" Rudy hissed at her.

Liesel didn't want to listen to Rudy no more. She got up off the floor and made to run away, but Rudy held on to her arm. "Listen to me Liesel...I would always rather spend my time here with you than out there."

"Then stay here with me. Don't go" She was showing weakness to him. But she didn't care at this point. Her grief was too far gone. It was as if those emotions of loosing her entire family had been unlocked from that chest in her mind and were mixing with the fresh emotions of loosing Rudy.

"I have no choice Liesel. Don't you think I tried to fight it? But Herr Hermann is stronger. I have no choice in where I go from this point on."

"Nein Rudy. You always have a choice. Always. Everyone has a choice, even Herr Hitler has a choice." Liesel said shaking her arm free from Rudy's grip. "It's just a matter of picking the least selfish reason."

With that she ran back into the house, past Herr Hermann and into the cosy room she had been provided with. She locked the door and sank down to the floor, trying to block out all sounds around her.

Liesel didn't know how long she had sat there, crying and mourning the loss of all those dear to her. But she knew it must be close to dinner time, judging from the sounds her stomach was making. She stood up and walked over to her vanity mirror. Her eyes were red from crying all afternoon. Her hair had seen better days and her pale cheeks were flushed with heat.

She poured some clean water from the jug, into the basin bowl. She gently washed her face and brushed her hair back into a ponytail. She then looked down at her muddy tights.

Once quick change later, Liesel deemed herself presentable. She opened the door of her room, only to be knocked back into the room.

"Ouch. Watch it!" She snapped as she picked herself up off the floor. She rubbed the back of her head, from where it had hit the cold hard floor. "Rudy." She hissed at him. "What are you doing skulking around?

Rudy stood up and brushed his hair out of his face. He was dressed for dinner. "I'm sorry but I was told to come and get you for dinner. Herr and Frau would like to speak with both of us."

"Fine." Liesel said and marched past her lemon haired friend, who quickly followed her down the winding staircase.

"Aren't you going to speak to me? Or look at me?" Rudy asked her, jogging to keep up with her quick pace. Liesel didn't give him an answer. She only stopped to look at him when they reached the dining room.

"I don't know. I'm hurt at the moment." Was her answer before she entered the beautiful dining room decorated with Baroque drapes and furniture. A warm fire crackled in the grand fireplace and a delicious smell tickled the children's noses.

"Guten Abend children." Herr Hermann said as he entered behind them.

"Guten Abend Herr Hermann. Frau Hermann." The children answered. Frau Hermann followed with a small smile at the two children. She'd grown fond of them in the past few weeks. They reminded her of her little boy.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Cook had whipped up some warm tomato soup for starters, followed by chick with crispy skin and boiled potatoes lathered in butter, with peas and swede to join the food. Dessert involved some strawberry tart with freshly made cream.

It was during dessert that Herr Hermann cleared his throat to get attention. The clink of silver was heard as the knives and forks were placed gently on their plates.

"Children...I must express my concern. I heard an argument outside, when I was trying to work earlier. Shouting and curse words could be heard. Would you two like to explain that?"

"Nein Herr Hermann. It was just a misunderstanding on Liesel's part.." Rudy started but was hushed when Liesel kicked him under the table. Her anger towards the man had built up all night long. How dare he try and take her Rudy away. Rudy was her friend. Not the Mayor's friend, nor Hitler's friend.

"Why are you sending Rudy away?" She asked. Herr Hermann looked down the table at Liesel carefully. "Why does he get to go and why do I have to stay here?"

"Now listen child, these are affairs you are too young to understand..."

"And Rudy does? Rudy is but a few months older than me. We're the same age! Why should he know this stuff and why shouldn't I?" Her anger was creeping out now. "Why send him away from me? From this? Do you think he would like this? Does he even have a say?!" Her voice got higher and more shrill with every word.

"Be quiet you insolent child! Who do you think you are to speak to me like this? Rudy has been blessed with a fine honour and you should support him. He will be leaving for Berlin tomorrow morning and you will be there to see him off. Or so help me I will ship you to the nearest orphanage before you can blink!"

"I will not be quiet Herr Hermann! Not for you, not for anyone! And I will certainly not be seeing Rudy off tomorrow!" With that, Liesel pulled her napkin off her chest, extended a curt nod in apology to Frau Hermann and stormed out.

Silence followed the outburst. Rudy, poked his food around his plate, appetite gone. Herr Hermann looked at the direction of Liesel's exit then turned to Rudy.

"The sooner you are in Berlin, away from her, the sooner you will flourish and find your true ability. Chasing after her will just clamp your talents my boy. Perhaps you may find a good Nazi girl up in Berlin. One who won't own you selfishly."

Rudy pulled his napkin off his chest as well. "May I be excused?" He asked. A nod from Frau was his cue to leave. Rudy took one look at Herr Hermann and bolted out. Sighs were heard from behind him and whisper of how ungrateful children were these days.

Rudy paid no heed to these and ran upstairs to Liesel's bedroom. The door was locked again. Rudy knocked on it loudly.

"Open up Liesel! Let me in or so help me I will break this door down!" A click of the latch signalled the opening and Rudy was pulled into the room quickly, before the door was shut and bolted again. Liesel looked at Rudy for a few seconds, her eyes were red with tears, before turning her back to him and started to search in the wardrobe.

She pulled out a bag, with a couple of dresses, skirts and tights. These went into the bag, followed with some spare shirts, underwear and shoes. A hairbrush joined them, along with a fresh bar of soap.

"Saumensch? What are you doing?" Rudy asked.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm running away. For sure now Rudy. I'm never coming back."

"Why?"

"Oh Rudy! Face it, there is nothing for me here. I have no one but you, and when you are gone, I won't have anyone but myself and the birds outside." She was now a whirlwind, throwing items into the bag and taking items out of the bag. "Besides, it was your idea."

"I know that...but I didn't mean this soon. Like, where are you even planning on going?"

"North, towards Paris. I remember Mama mentioned she and Papa had their honeymoon there. She said everyone was welcome in Paris. So I'm leaving. And you can't stop me."

Rudy shook his head. "But wasn't it you who said that Paris wouldn't be safe for us? Or running away wouldn't be safe for two young children?" Liesel shrugged.

"I'll figure something out. I have money saved up." Liesel said shaking a leather purse full of money in Rudy's direction.

"OK, but seriously, wouldn't you rather wait? Plan it out?"

"Nein. I despise Herr Hermann. The sooner I'm away the better. Besides I don't know what you're fussing about. You'll be up in Berlin this time tomorrow!" She stopped. "Are you going to come with me Rudy? Like you said? Me and you would run away, leave this place."

Rudy smirked. "It is an idea. I don't fancy Berlin this time of year, it would only ruin my complexion and hair." He sobered up. "But this is huge for me...for us all." He was conflicted now. Sure he had suggested it in the first place and he was adamant about leaving. But not this soon. Yet again, the sooner they left, the sooner Rudy would be far away from scheming men. "I would be coming back you know. It wouldn't be permanent Berlin. Maybe you could visit?"

Liesel scoffed "Herr Hermann wouldn't allow it. I probably would be in an orphange somewhere by the time you got back. No, I'm going before he can plan out my life as well." This last sentence was said in a pointed tone.

"Oh, you fight dirty Saumensch." Rudy mocked.

"I learnt from the best." Liesel threw back at him, zipping up the bag. "Right. It's done - now I'll just wait until late and then sneak out through the window. I have a map with me..." She was planning out loud now. Rudy shook his head at her.

"You're so silly. You wouldn't last 10 minutes on your own. Liesel turned to scold him "Which is why I'm going with you."

"What?"

"Are you deaf as well as silly? I'm coming with you. Do you really think I would prefer Berlin over Paris with you? Maybe there, I would get my kiss of you..."

"You mean it right? You're not saying this to cheer me up?" Liesel asked, not daring to believe Rudy. He had a habit of saying things to cheer people up, things they wished to hear.

"Of course I do! It was my idea after all!" He smiled. "Now let me grab my things. I have most of it packed for tomorrow." He turned his back to exit the room. "Oh and one more thing...Paris really? That is such a girl's option!" He ducked out just in time to avoid the pillow thrown at his head.