A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for waiting so long for the next chapter! I've been busy working for my finals which are next weeks! So enjoy!

It didn't matter that it was a bone-chilling day in Germany. Even if the cold did penetrate the walls and chilled everyone inside, Rudy Steiner stood in Liesel Meminger's room, pacing the room back and forth increasing the heat.

Liesel could be thankful for that, but the heat he radiated this time was not exactly from his looks.

"How," he demanded to her, "is my name on the memorial?" He ran his fingers through his hair and faced Liesel. His eyes turned into a vicious blue.

Liesel shook her head. "I don't know."

He stopped in place and studied Liesel. It was almost as if he were scanning her to see if she was hiding the answer within her palms. Liesel looked away quickly.

"You do know, don't you?" said Rudy. He walked towards her.

Liesel shot him a menacing. "So you think I painted your name on the board?"

Rudy raised an eyebrow. He crossed his arms. "No," he said defensively. "But I think you've seen it before and haven't told me."

Liesel let out a heavy breath. "I'm telling you right now, I haven't. But I think I might know why your name is up there."

Rudy looked at her suspiciously. "Go on."

Liesel spoke cautiously as she said this. "You know how your entire family was hurt, other then your father?"

Rudy flinched. He looked down. "Ja."

"Well maybe they assumed your entire family was killed and not just your siblings and mother."

Rudy shook his head. He laid his head back on the wall. "Then why wasn't my father's name on it?"

"Since he was enlisted in the army, I think it was obvious he wasn't hurt," Liesel theorized.

Rudy's jaw grew hard. "I'm so confused!" he yelled. "Shouldn't they have a proper record for this."

"They probably do," she said softly. "I mean I'm pretty sure you would have figured out if they thought you were dead. This probably was a mistake by the group in charge of the memorial. They probably got their information from someone from the street."

"There weren't any other survivors," he murmured.

"Fine, someone who witnessed the incidents after math. They probably just mentioned the entire Steiner family."

Rudy was silent for a second. He looked worn out, just by speaking about that night. Little did he know about the real happenings of that day. How he had died too. How his name was actually supposed to be on the memorial. Liesel stared at her fingers. Why was his name on there? Death had promised her that no evidence would remain of his death. This was evidence. It shouldn't be here. Someone either mistakenly put his name up there.

Or someone knew about Rudy Steiner's death.

Rudy took a deep breath in. The venom his eyes slowly gushed out. He looked broken.

Liesel took his hands in hers. She wiped the blond hair from his forehead.

"It's okay, Rudy," she told him. She kissed him on the forehead softly. "I've got a plan to fix this."

The next day:

"Do you know how much it will cost?" he asked her. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Liesel could hear the birds chirping and the bees flying around. A small jacket sufficed for this weather, for it was neither too cold but not too hot.

Liesel shook her head. She jiggled the coins in her hands. "Not much, I suppose," she said. "But this should be enough."

Rudy nervously glanced at her. "Are you sure this is going to work, Liesel? I don't want to take risks."

"Relax, Saukerl," she told him. Mischief gleamed through her eyes. "And since when have you been scared to do something wrong?"

Rudy shook his head. He didn't bother to counter her statement with an equally hurtful assertion. "It's not like before," he muttered. He prudently looked around as if someone could be eavesdropping. "This is very serious-"

"No it's not!"

He stopped in place. "Yes, it is, Liesel," he said firmly. "I mean if we're caught this could go on my college application and-"

"- you might not get into some college for freaks." She imitated Rudy's voice. "But really? Are we doing something bad? I mean they were the ones who made the mistake not you."

Rudy sighed heavily. He could not challenge Liesel's argument. He kicked the dirt of on the ground. He didn't respond quickly.

"But if you don't want to," Liesel quickly chimed in. "It's okay, we can go back."

Rudy suddenly looked up at Liesel. A smirk grew on his lips. His eyes twinkled with sudden roguishness. For them, mischief was contagious. "Are you kidding me, Saumench?" he exclaimed. He brushed past her and said," I was actually sure you're going to be the one to freak out."

Liesel pushed past the door and trotted inside the small store Rudy had led her to. Appliances were lined up in racks in aisles parallel to each other.

"Are you sure they sell it here?" Liesel asked Rudy.

Rudy nodded. "Yes, my dad came here to purchase the paint for his shop." He led Liesel across the shop. Only a few customers were inside searching for their needs.

"Well, who do we have here?" a voice called out.

A large man with a torn blue shirt splattered with paint came towards them. His beard was quite intricate: long, curly, and unclean. It looked like he hadn't showered for days at all. The soles of his shoes were ripped and he walked with a small limp.

"Herr Steiner," he said to Rudy. He smiled. "What brings you here at this time of day?"

Rudy smiled at him nervously. "Herr Hiersch," he said. "I thought I'd stop by and get some paint for my dad."

Herr Hiersch nodded slightly. "Is he painting his store again? I told him he wouldn't like the color he picked last time. But he was quite persistent."

Rudy laughed. He was amazing at small talk. "Blue. I always wondered why he chose blue."

Herr Hiersch gave him a sad smile. He took a cloth out of his pocket and wiped his hands. "He said blue was your mother's favorite color. He chose that color without thinking."

Rudy swallowed and looked at his toes. "Yes," he murmured. "It was her favorite color."

Herr Hiersch was quiet for a moment. Liesel stood awkwardly next to Rudy. He coughed to cover up the silence and noticed Liesel. "Who did you bring along with you this time?" he asked.

Rudy jerked his head up as if he suddenly remembered Liesel was standing next to him. "Oh, this is Liesel," he said.

Herr Hiersch stuck out his hand. Liesel was reluctant to touch it but she still shook his hand. "Nett Sie zu treffen, " she said. "Nice to meet you."

He winked at her. "You must be a lucky girl. I've known Rudy for years." He led them across the aisles and deeper into the shop. "I've changed up the area a little. But you know where to find the paint, Rudy. Call out if you need help."

"Alright, thank you," said Rudy.

As soon as he left to help another customer, Liesel started questioning Rudy. "How do you know him?" she demanded.

Rudy shrugged. He scanned all the appliances. "I told you, " he said. "I've come here a lot to pick up stuff. You end up making friends on the way."

Liesel narrowed her eyes at him. "And out of all the people you pick the old stinky man."

He chuckled. "Hey, if a pretty women owned this place and if I were talking to her now, you'd be ripping my throat out. So be thankful it's him."

Liesel shoved him with her shoulder but couldn't suppress a smile. "Don't push it, Saukerl, " she said. "Now which color are we choosing?"

Rudy motioned her to keep her voice down. "White?" he whispered.

Liesel frowned. "Wasn't the memorial board brown?"

Rudy looked through the cans of paint. "They don't have brown here. I think we should use white."

Liesel considered this. "But you can see white on that board. People will realize what we've done."

Rudy took a step back and nodded. He picked up the can of white paint. "No," he told her. "I want them to see what we've done."

"Is that all for you two?" Frau Hiersch asked them

Liesel handed him the coins that were in her pocket. "Yes, sir." She took the paint from the dusty counter and stuffed it into her bag. "Thank you."

He beamed at her. And for a dirty old man, Liesel thought, he actually looked pretty happy. " No problem. Oh, and Rudy!" Herr Hiersch called out. "Let me know how the paint on the shop turns out. And give my acknowledgements to your father."

Rudy nodded, clearly tired of him talking about his father. "Will do," he told him.

As soon as they both stepped out of the shop, Rudy let out a heavy breath. "What do you think will happen if he finds out the paint isn't for my father's shop?"

Liesel snickered. "You'll lie. And you're not a bad liar, considering what you did back there."

Rudy looked pleased with himself. He laced his fingers through Liesel's. "Thank you, Frau Meminger," he said. I suppose we make a good team."

"So what time?" Rudy asked. They were walking through Green Strasse to Rudy's home. They sky darkened as the clouds started to dense in on them. A cold wind blew across their faces.

"At about ten," Liesel said. She started to button her jacket. "They'll be asleep by then, hopefully."

Rudy nodded. "Hopefully," he mumbled.

Liesel rolled her eyes. "Come on, Rudy. What are you scared of?"

Rudy raised an eyebrow. He hesitated. "I- nevermind. I mean, will you be able to get out?"

"Of course," Liesel said.

He gave her a cynical laugh. "Yeah, right, Liesel. With your door opening skills, I'm pretty sure you'll ask the mayor himself to help you sneak out."

Liesel stomped on Rudy's foot. He flinched, but continued to laugh. "Watch it, Saukerl," she warned him. "Or I'll give you up to the police myself."

Rudy stopped in place, in front of his house. He had an impish look in his eyes. He took Liesel's hands and laced it through his own fingers. "Then I'll take you with me," he said.

Liesel smiled, trying to forget how this could have happen to him. He didn't deserve this at all.

He had not deserved to die.

She ran her hand through his hair. It wasn't the color of lemons anymore. It was a little darker. His face had altered to. His jawline was much more prominent and cheekbones were more visible. His smile, though still beautiful, still held the same crookedness.

Rudy realized she was staring. "What?" he asked.

Liesel shook her head. "At the sign," she told him. "I'll meet you on Himmel Street next to the sign."

He nodded and kissed her forehead gently. "Yeah," he said. "Yes, that works."

Liesel quietly walked in through the doors of the mayor's house. She must have not been quiet, because Ilsa Hermann called out to her immediately.

"Liesel?" She called out. "Is that you?"

Lisel placed her backpack on to the floor and took of her jacket."Yes, it's me, Frau Hermann!"

"Would you come inside the kitchen?"

Liesel quickly walked into the kitchen. She had a habit of obeying every order they gave her in fear of them sending her away.

"What is it?" Liesel asked.

She saw Ilsa sitting down in a chair next to the dining table. Across from her was the mayor. He was wearing his oval glasses and dealing with paper work. He didn't bother to acknowledge Liesel's presence.

"How was your after noon?" Ilsa asked.

She was in a beautiful yellow dress that brought out her dark brown eyes. Her hair was tied back into the bun. Liesel realized she had never seen Ilsa with her hair down.

"It was fine. I was with Rudy," she replied.

Ilsa gave out a quiet laugh. "Such a sweet boy," she said. "You must've had fun. Come sit down."

Liesel felt her insides squeeze. She had never been summoned so urgently by Ilsa. Did they know about the plan? Was she in trouble?
Ilsa cleared her throat and set her hands on the table. "We wanted to speak to you about college."

Liesel's back grew stiff. This was worse that getting in trouble. "Okay," she told her.

"Do you have any clue where you want to go?" Ilsa asked.

Liesel took a deep breath in. To be honest, after she heard Rudy's application to Humboldt, she had done some research herself and decided what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. She told Ilsa about her plans.

As soon as she was finished, Ilsa nodded in approval. "Writing and Language," she said. "I think that's wonderful."

Liesel let out a heavy breath. Her thoughts had been ensconced for months because she didn't know what Ilsa and the mayor might think.

The mayor abruptly got up and headed into the kitchen. He pulled out a cup and pored some water into it. "I think you'd be eligible for Bunn," he said to Liesel. "Considering your plans for the future, I'm pretty sure they would except a candidate like you."

Liesel frowned. "A candidate like me? What do you mean?"

"Well, you spend most of your time reading or writing. I'm pretty sure they will love to have someone like you attending there. Of course, if you qualify."

Liesel bit her tongue. "But, how can I qualify?"

The mayor looked up at Liesel. "I can send in some of your writing. They will read it, I'm sure of that."

Liesel nodded. She wasn't sure how the mayor had all these answers. "But don't I have to send in an application like the others?" she asked.

Ilsa chimed in. "You know that Herr Hermann and I attended Bunn?" She looked over at the mayor and slightly blushed. Liesel had never seen her show any type of affection towards him. She looked at her fingers. "That's where we met."

"Oh, really?"said Liesel. "I did not know."

"Well, it was a long time back, wasn't it Ilsa?" he said. "I suppose I had forgotten myself. But Liesel, I know someone who manages the student applications there. We could get you a special entry."

"And it wouldn't be considered as special treatment," said Ilsa. "Under your circumstances, I'm pretty sure they would be happy to just look at your previous work as decide your eligibility."

Under your circumstances. she thought. Being orphaned twice.

But Liesel was extremely pumped inside. She had heard Bunn was an amazing school. She definitely considered it her dream college. If she would qualify, it would definitely set her life in a perfect track leading to all he dreams.

But Rudy?

Liesel couldn't suppress a smile. "Thank you so much," she said. "I appreciate it."

The mayor nodded and continued his paperwork.

"It's the least we can do," Ilsa told her. "And it's what you deserve."

As the clock struck twelve, the plan was in progress. Liesel quietly headed downstairs, stole her back pack, and snuck out the library window. When she got outside she hastily walked towards Himmel Street. It was about a fifteen minute walk. A deadly silent one.

When Liesel reached the sign, she realized Rudy had not come yet. She put her backpack down and reviewed their.

They were to paint over Rudy's name with the paint they had bought. After, they would clear any evidence that they were here and leave. Liesel had left the window open slightly so she could sneak back in. Rudy apparently had a similar plan to hers.

But was it considered evil? Bad? Liesel could not exactly point it out. Rudy Steiner was not dead and his name was on the memorial board. They were going to paint over it. The end.

But sure there was a much more legal way of approaching this. They could talk to the organization that managed this or even to the mayor. But what troubles would that have brought along? What if they come across more documents that proved Rudy's death. What if they got tangled in to a big mess?

What if there was something that Liesel couldn't explain?

Liesel shook the bad thoughts out of her head. Death had made a mistake. And as disturbing as it was to recall that night, it all had happened. Why Rudy's name was here would always remain a mystery. But the best Liesel could do was try to erase the evidence. And this was all she had in mind.

At least with their plan, if someone bothered to notice, no one would know who did it.

Liesel propped herself on to the base of the sign and sat down. It was strangely quiet, as if someone who wasn't supposed to be here was trying too hard not to be noticed.

She then realized that person was actually her.

A half an hour had passed by and Rudy had not shown himself. Liesel wrapped herself tight around her jacket and pressed her palms to her cheeks. The night was rapidly getting colder and her eyes slowly started to droop.

Where was he? Did he ditch her?

Liesel stood up and searched the other parts of the streets to see if he was any where near approaching. When he did not show for the next twenty minutes, she angrily flung her bag up on to her shoulders preparing to leave. As she commenced away from the street, he slowly emerged from the dark, showing no sign of regret, impatience, or fear or his face. Instead, his face looked stiff and his eyes were still and piercing in the moonlight.

Liesel tried to walk past him, not understanding why he looked at her that way when he himself showed up late. She didn't deserve it at all.

But he grabbed her arm and held it with a tight grip.

Liesel's breath was sharp against the cold night. She could see it in the air. She struggled against his grip and said, "I waited for an hour for you."

He dodged her eye contact and looked straight ahead. His voice was hostile and cold. "I'm not here for that."

Liesel yanked her arms from his hand and rubbed it with her left palm. It was the first time he had physically hurt her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.

"Tell you what?" Liesel shot back.
He turned around and faced the sign. His hands reached inside his pockets. "About Kirsti Brandt?"

As soon as he said her name, a small fire erupted inside Liesel and burned her heart. She had totally forgotten about Kirsti and Rudy.

Liesel sighed. "What did you expect me to say?"

He shot her a disgusting look. "You knew that Kirsti was a friend. You even spoke to her about me."

"Yes, and she told me she wanted to meet you on her own terms!"

Rudy glared at Liesel. "Don't lie to me, Liesel," he said. "I met her this evening by her house after you left. I was extremely shocked to see she's come back. She told me that she met you and that she was the one who hurt you during the bike accident. She said that she didn't want to come and say hi because of you."

"What?" Liesel said. "That's not what happened at all. I never threatened her, Rudy."

"Then why didn't she say anything before?" he exclaimed. "Why hadn't she come meet me before? Did you tell her to stay away from me?"

Anger bubbled inside Liesel. How could he say this to her? Liesel swallowed. She knew that Kirsti was in love with Rudy. Did that girl say anything about Liesel? Did she blame it on her?

But Liesel wasn't in the mood to figure out. She looked blankly up at Rudy and said firmly, "No, I did not."

He was still for a second but eventually nodded. Liesel couldn't exactly tell what he was wearing in the dark but his expression was mixed. He didn't say anything at all which bothered Liesel so much. He slowly walked towards the sign and put his fingers on to his name. "Since we came here," he said his tone soft ut hostile. "Can we at least finish it?"

His voice was soothing, almost as if he had some charm speak in his tone to lure Liesel into doing what he told her too. She wanted to go to him and help him erase his past. His past that Liesel had changed so dramatically.

But Liesel didn't know if what she had done was right or wrong.

Did he owe her for bringing him back alive or did she owe him?

And Liesel realized that it didn't matter at all. It was the past. It was something that should be stored in back of her mind slowly fading away as she aged. She needed to worry about what she was going to do now that he was here with her.

She knew what she needed to say.

She walked towards the sign right next to him and threw her backpack down. She opened it up and handed him the white paint can.

"Here," she said to him. "You do it. I'm not helping you."

He frowned at her. "What? Why not?"

Liesel threw her bag back over her left shoulder furiously. She wasn't cold anymore. Her anger had melted every shiver inside her body. She could feel her head tighten and her eyes radiating with fire at Rudy.

"I waited for you for so long," she said. "You came late and you accused me of something I didn't do. You had the nerve to say that to me while I did all of this- I planned all of this just to help you out. And yet you still accused me."

Rudy stared speechless at Liesel. His eyes were wide. "I-"

"No," Liesel shot back at him. "You actually have no idea what I have done for you. Literally, no idea!"

Rudy reached for her arm but she pulled back abruptly. "I'm done," she spat at him. "I deserve much, much better than you."

And with that said, The Book Thief headed home.

A/N: So what do you think? Cliff-hanger? Sorry about that! I also was reading the comments and saw that people were mistaking kIRsti for kRIsti :)K-er-sti! It's Dutch and I thought it was beautiful. Anyway, thank you guys and PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW! I also would like to thank you for my 50th review! AHH lol!

Please comment on the chapter and my writing! It would help and mean a lot. Also, what do you think the sacrifice is?

Emma :)