If you take a snake to your heart, you should know what to expect. That's what the old song said. Maria left town and didn't return.
Himiko had been afraid of her next birthday. She should have been more afraid of Ban's. He was smiling when he went to see her. He was smiling when he left.
There was nothing left behind those slit-pupilled eyes that Ginji could recognise as the man he'd known.
---
(sorry, I had the song (http://www.lyricscafe.com/s/shivaree/040.htm) in my head . . .)
---