How do 12 year olds keep their weekends busy nowadays? Some stay in their rooms and play on the console given by big brother when the new generation came out (Don't judge me...). Others at least leave the bedroom and watch their favorite cartoon on the living room TV. The more energetic get out their bikes and go to the park with their friends. And the more adventurous go to the Timbercats house for ax training!

Wait... Actually, no. That's just the Berdacs twins...

Indeed, Asher and Dahlia went relatively often to this house built on the edge of the forest north of the city. The place was built with huge logs and was typical lumberjack style. If one had not seen the inside, much more refined, they would be easily tempted to believe that there was neither electricity nor running water.

"Wow! Awesome."

"I have to admit that it matches the character of the coach."

Usually the twins came alone, but not this time. Luz and Amity were there too. And Kipo as well. She was even the reason for the presence of the other two. When Asher asked her if she wanted to spend the weekend with them, Kipo asked Hugo for permission. He was obviously not reassured by this ax story and even if his little sister would be with professionals, he had insisted that trusted people accompany them. Luz gladly accepted to take care of "the sister of her sister" and Amity tagged along.

As they rounded the house to reach the courtyard, Asher still wasn't sure if they were glad Kipo didn't come alone. This girl was great and they had wanted to invite her from day one (which had prompted Dahlia to make lots of jokes about a potential "crush" Asher would have on the pink girl). Unfortunately, on the first Friday, Kipo explained to them that she already had something planned with Wolf and a friend in Brightmoon.

Obviously, Asher was glad the hostility they had between them on the first day was gone. Still, they were also a little disappointed... Kipo must have realized this because she had spent more time with them the second week. They were always in teams during sports and she had gone to eat with them a few times during lunch.

Her permanent joyful attitude always found a way to make Asher smile, which had earned them even more jokes from their sister. Even once, Dahlia told them "You totally fell for her" and when Asher tried to to prove her wrong, Jinora walked by and just said "You obviously do". She wasn't even trying to joke. She had calmly stated a fact and had resumed her walk.

This was why Asher was confused about Luz and Amity's presence. Maybe, JUST MAYBE, they would have liked it was only Kipo... But Dahlia would never have left them alone if they had confessed such a thing. With more people, the situation was easier.

The first thing the group saw in the yard was Molly, who used a huge ax to split a log as large as a person in half. The wood groaned with the impact before the two pieces tipped over and hit the ground with force. Amity couldn't suppress a small cry of amazement at the brute force, which caught the white terrian's attention. Seeing them, Molly thrust her ax into the ground with a flick of her wrist before coming over to greet them.

"It's crowded today" she joked. "Did you come with my teammates to have football training in advance?"

"That would be a good idea!" Dahlia continued. "You know I'll be on the team as soon as I'm old enough! But no. They're just here to babysit Asher's c..."

"MY FRIEND!" Asher panicked before their sister could finish.

This reaction confused Kipo somewhat, but everyone else could clearly guess what was going on in Asher's head, much to their embarrassment. Even Luz could tell!

Ever since she started dating Amity, the young Latina seemed less ... oblivious, to that kind of things. Their relationship was going very well. They had taken advantage of the summer vacation to have several dates together. Movies, parks, more "intimate" book clubs. Even if they were not yet kissing in public, they'd happily hold hands (which they had actually done all the way and still had not let go).

The yard was relatively large, about the size of a classroom. Some logs were stuck in the dirt floor as the forest surrounded them. A few axes were placed against the wall of the house. Dahlia immediately went to take one. The tool was almost twice the size of her arm! However, the little "D" engraved on the handle proved that she was used to handling it. Indeed, the young girl carried her ax as if it weighs nothing and went to stand in front of a log. With a throw, the ax fell into the wood five yards away. She was clearly using her reinforcement magic.

"Show-off," Asher joked, picking up a normal-size ax.

They went to their sister's side and launched in turn. The small ax fell into the ten centimeters that was left above the large one, earning Kipo's energetic applause and a tumb's up from Luz. The two twins went to retrieve their axes for the second round, Dahlia taking advantage of being with her back to the others to throw a knowing wink at her sibling.

Dahlia threw up first and hit the target again. But Asher didn't have it that easy right now. With Kipo right next to them watching their postures with wide curious eyes, concentrating was impossible. So when the ax parted, it struck the other's blade and fell to the ground with a metallic ricochet.

"Don't give up!" Kipo said with a big smile. "You'll get it next time!"

Unfortunately, this encouragement had the opposite effect. As they returned to the firing position, Asher felt their hearts pounding. No way they could shoot straight. And they weren't mentally ready to screw up in front of Kipo...

"Actually ... Do you wanna try it?"

Asher had handed their ax to the pink girl, hoping to avoid the embarrassment, but seeing the stars that lit her eyes, they were already doubting their plan...

Where the twins were used to one-handed throwing, Kipo preferred to hold the ax with both hands for her first attempt. She raised the tool above her head before launching with all her strength. The ax didn't fly far and hit the ground a yard in front of the target.

"Whoops."

The young girl didn't even wait the time to be disappointed as she went to get the ax, already ready to try again. This time she transformed and the ax shot like an arrow. The terrian already had a big smile on her face when she imagined herself succeeding on the second try. Unfortunately, the ax passed over the log and got lost among the trees.

"Aaaaaaah, come on!" said the catgirl with her ears down.

Kipo raced into the woods to retrieve the object while Asher watched. They laughed amusedly as the red colored their cheeks. They almost forgot that they weren't alone. Obviously, Dahlia reminded them of reality with her playful tone.

"Ask her out already!"

Turning around Asher realized that their sister, Luz and Amity and even Molly were all looking at them with that knowing smile.

"That's not it, okay !? Cats are cute. That's all!" yelled a flustered teenager before running into the woods.

"Cats are cute, huh?" joked Amity stealing a glance at her girlfriend. "I was saying the same thing about otters not so long ago."

"Awww" was Luz's answer as she lovingly hugged her girlfriend.

A few minutes passed like this, perhaps too much in fact. Because when Asher came back, they were panicked, and alone...

"Kipo disappeared!"