Chrono X Angel, Book 8: The Sands of Time

Chapter 15

"We gotta get back to our time, and now!!" Shouted Usoko as she returned to the campsite, "Mom what do we... mom??"

She had been so caught up in her fight with Abigail that the pinkette had not even taken a moment to check on her mother or Sarah. The Banshee had at least mostly pulled herself back together by now, but Tatsuya was still lying on the ground where she had been when Usoko had left. In fact it hardly looked like she had even moved even an inch. Now sick with worry, Usoko rushed over to her mother's side to check on her. The slow rising and falling of her chest was at least somewhat reassuring, but the pained wheezes certainly were not.

"Mom!! Mom what's wrong??" Cried Usoko, holding tight to Tatsuya's hand. In response, the Angel looked into Usoko's eyes, looked deeply into them, and smiled.

"My daughter... Usoko. I had to use what remained of my holy energy to heal you, and give you enough of a jump start to defeat Abigail, so I can't even heal my own wounds right now..."

She rolled over onto her back, splayed out, though still smiling in contentment.

"You really did it," she sighed, reaching up and running a hand through the long silver hair of Usoko's Archangel form, "I don't think I could ever be more proud of you, Usoko. No... not just Usoko. Now that you have my power, I suppose that makes you the new Ramiel as well..."

"Please, you can still call me Usoko," sniffled Usoko as she began using her energy to heal Tatsuya's body, "But... what do you mean you gave it to me? Your powers? What do you mean I'm the new Ramiel??"

Tatsuya closed her eyes as feeling slowly returned to her limbs. What she had to say next, what Usoko was about to hear... she knew it was probably going to break the poor girl.

"Usoko, it means I no longer have any Angel powers. I still have all the biological aspects of being one, but all of my inherent power now resides in you. As it was always meant to. I knew from the moment you told me of my fate in your future, that I had to have given up my powers at some point. I suppose I assumed I had done so giving birth to you or your younger sister, but instead it seems fate had other ideas..."

"I... I get it," sighed Usoko, smiling, "Well the first thing I'll do after bringing you back is give you all your powers back! I promise!!"

Usoko's ears had to be playing tricks on her. They had to be. Because there was no way she could have just heard what her mother had said. No, that had to be impossible.

"Usoko. An Angel who has given up their powers cannot be revived. Not for a very, very long time anyway. I know this is not what you want to hear, but... it is the truth."

Usoko's archangel form vanished as if it had shattered, almost mirroring the Pinkette's heart. She could not, would not, refused to believe what she was being told!! Had it truly all been for nothing?! Her journey she had been on since leaving Kaiju Island the first time. Learning the ancient ritual, hell even managing to use that knowledge to bring her own sister back to life, then coming back in time to learn from Tatsuya herself?? It was like everything was crumbling around her, and she felt like she was on the verge of passing out. Swaying in place, Tatsuya caught Usoko before she fell over.

"I... I am sure this isn't easy, especially after all you have been through, but Usoko may I ask you a question?"

With bloodshot eyes streaming with tears, Usoko looked up at her mother's face, which still smiled despite everything.
"Now be honest with me... since you got your powers, how much have you truly needed me? Truly now."

"Every day!!" Replied Usoko almost incredulously, "You're my mom, I'll always need you!!"

"Yes, but every child must one day grow past their parents my dear," replied Tatsuya calmly, "True, for you it was perhaps a bit too early, but look at the woman you have managed to become even without me there. I couldn't be more proud of you if I tried, Usoko Tachibana."