Cold
He stared at the body in front of him, shock, hurt, anger all merged together in his expression. Everyone else had already said goodbye to the ill-fated flower girl and now, it was the leader's turn. But he was no leader when he couldn't protect her. If he couldn't protect the one he loved, how could he be expected to protect everyone else?
He kneeled in front of her, feeling his eyes grow wet. Her beautiful green eyes were closed now, never to be opened again. Her hair had come undone from its braid, falling loosely around her bloodstained body. The ribbon that held it in place lay broken beside her and the white materia was somewhere in the water below them.
He took a deep sigh before placing a hand under her knees, the other supporting her back and lifted her up, allowing her head to lie on his shoulder. Her warm blood soaked through his clothes but all he felt was cold.
He walked slowly down the platforms, careful never to drop her delicate form. The rest followed him outside, standing at the shore as he walked into the cold, clear lake that surrounded the city. He let her body float for a moment, taking in her pale face and wondering how she could still look so beautiful.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he let go, watching her body float to the bottom of the cold, dark waters.
"Forgive me," he whispered against the cold winds as they blasted into his face, the harsh breeze chilling him to the bones. Now, his skin was as cold as Aerith's had been against his hands. His cold heart suddenly shattered into a million ice pieces. His mind, his body, his soul...they were all...
Cold.