The night was finally here at last, a bitter start was going to be smoothed over into a more tolerable acquaintanceship. Blaze sat patiently in the young heiress's room with Jade by his side to help cool down any heated arguments that may have occurred. He had his usual grin on his face, as if he could already see the events of this night going well. But he was going to be sure that this was going to go over well. With this being the first time his little sister ever truly wanted anything, ever wanted to be with anyone like this, of course he was going to make this work.

"He's late." Blaze muttered as his eyes stared at the window with an expecting gaze.

"The night has only just begun. Besides, you trust Scarlett, don't you? She'll make sure you get the chance to meet." Jade responded, closing his eyes as his smile widened.

The houndoom's eyes looked over at the fox's face, observing that plastered on smile of his before looking back at the window again.

"I don't get it, when did they even meet? Where did they meet?" said Blaze with a slightly irritated look, think how he had let this happen under his watch.

"Doesn't really matter now. Who cares how they met or under what circumstances? Isn't the important thing is that she's happy?" Jade asked, turning his gaze towards him.

"And exactly how long is this happiness going to last? What if he hurts her? He could easily betray-" the paranoid houndoom's voice was cut off as Jade placed a paw against his mouth.

"There you go again on your 'what if' tangent. You really need to relax. You'll meet this growlithe, you'll find him trustworthy and we'll all live happily ever after." Jade explained with a blissful expression on his face.

Blaze stared at him for a moment before turning his head away, "I sometimes wonder what it's like to live in your little world…" he muttered.

"It is fun." Jade laughed softly.

Suddenly, there was a click at the window, followed by a rustle of the glass as it was pushed open by Scarlett's red paw. The vulpix leaped into the room before being followed by Ace. One quick glance at Blaze and a wave of intimidation stiffened his body. If he had ever met Scarlett's true parents, it would be a breeze compared to this.

"Sorry, it took a little longer than I thought." the small vulpix spoke up as she lead Ace towards the two.

"Don't even concern yourself about it. Mama and Papa were just having a little talk." Jade teased as he pushed against Blaze's body in a playful manner.

"Who's her Mama and Papa?" Blaze muttered as he looked to Jade with an annoyed look on his face.

His eyes soon rested on Ace, staring at him with a menacing grin. Just who was this growlithe and what made him think he could woe his princess with his unknown pedigree? Hopefully he'd be getting some answers tonight.

"Well then, this is Ace. Ace, this is Blaze, head of the houndour forces that protect the estate. And you already know my brother." Scarlett said, her paw gesturing generally between the two, she could never be too precise with these kinds of gestures. "Blaze has been protecting our family since he was a houndour himself." she explained.

"I see, it's nice to meet you… you know, officially like this." Ace stated as he looked up at the houndoom who stared down at him mercilessly.

Blaze's eyes looked him up and down, observing him closely before nodding his head, "Likewise. I've only heard good things about you from Scarlett these past couple of days. How you've seen many things and traveled through many places. As you know, she hasn't really seen much of the world herself so I'm sure she found you very fascinating, but are you sure that these feelings you have our love?" he asked.

Ace's eyes widened as he was asked such a question, asking him to question his feelings for her, asking if they were truly genuine.

"Blaze! That's nowhere near appropriate to ask!" Jade scolded as he looked at the houndoom.

"Why not? I think it's very appropriate to know if this growlithe truly indeed loves her or just admires her for admiring him." he responded, not regretting his question at all as he turned his gaze back to Ace coldly, "Well, Ace, is the feeling love or are you just humoring the young mistress?"

Scarlett's face saddened as her ears lowered on her head, her own mind starting to question her heart as she her head lowered.

"I have no doubt…" Ace started, Scarlett's ears flickering as she listened to his answer, "I have no doubt in my mind that this feeling in my chest can only be love!" he exclaimed, looking at the houndoom with a determined look in his eyes.

Blaze winced back slightly, the look of flaming passion in Ace's eyes taking him aback slightly, "How can you be so sure?!" he asked with a heated expression on his face.

Ace stared up at him for a moment before asking, "Have you ever been in love?"

"What?" he asked, the heated look being replaced by confusion as he stared at him.

"If you have… then you know you can't easily explain it. What can I say? That there are butterfrees in my stomach? That my heart can't calm down with her slightest touch? No, those descriptions aren't nearly enough…What she does to me… is way more than that." he explained.

Scarlett's eyes widened slightly before narrowing with a truly happy and joy filled expression on her face as her cheek brightened up with a hot blush.

"Listen, Blaze. I don't care whether you like me or even trust me. I won't give up on Red so easily. And… if I must, I'll even fight you for her." Ace continued as his eyes filled with endless amounts of passion for this bond the two of them had formed, the flames from within him burning even brighter.

Jade's eyes looked to Blaze, curious to see how he would react to the love struck growlithe's answer, curious to see if any of his words truly resounded in that closed off heart of his.

Blaze stared into his eyes for a moment before looking away with a slight huff, "You're right, I don't trust you." he stated blatantly.

"Blaze…" Jade muttered with a disappointed expression.

"However," he started back up again, "I will have to place some of my trust in you, only on Scarlett's behalf, of course." he explained as his body rose up from his seated position, turning to walk out the door.

"Wait, is that all you're going to ask him?" Jade asked as he turned to face him slightly.

"That's all I need to know from him." Blaze answered, looking back at Jade before looking at Ace again with a glare in his eyes, "Do NOT make me regret my decision." he stated before leaving out the room.

From behind him, he could hear a small cheer from Scarlett's gentle voice, a congratulations from Jade and a nervous chuckle from the exhausted Ace. Outside the room, two houndours were positioned, awaiting their boss as per their instructions.

Blaze looked over at the two, passing by them slightly as his eyes closed.

"I'll be sending you two on a mission away from the estate. I want you both to find information on a traveling growlithe named Ace." he ordered in a soft tone so no one else may hear.

The two houndours nodded their head before walking off to begin their new mission immediately.

Something just didn't settle quite right with him about this Ace character, and he was going to find out why one way or another.

I hope you all enjoyed the special two chapters in one day treat, I was too excited to just give one new chapter so here's two. Enjoy and see you in the next update X9