Hello readers! This is my first Mermaid Melody fanfic, and I'm quite excited to write it because I have always thought that Hippo and Yuri were such a cute couple. I hope you enjoy this story! I'm completely open to criticism, so please feel free to make suggestions on what I should change and how I can make this better. I live to please! Please review! I really do want to know what you think. And the sooner you review, the sooner I update! :D

Disclaimer: I don't own Mermaid Melody. All characters (with the exception of a few OCs) belong to their respective owners.

Eri made sure to lock the front door behind her before she walked away from her small, seaside home. She hummed a song that she remembered from when she was little as she made her way to the beach. The song had been a lullaby that her mother used to sing, or at least that's what she had been told by her older sister, Miki. Eri could remember the way the song went, but she couldn't remember where she had heard it, or where she had heard it from. But Miki insisted that it was the same song that their mother sang to Eri before she went to sleep at night. Eri wished her mother was still alive so that she could confirm or deny what Miki said.

As soon as Eri arrived at the beach, she slipped off her sandals and treaded across the hot sand with her bare feet. The soft ocean breeze blew her raven hair away from her face and tickled her cheeks. Eri smiled, for the beach was her favorite place to be and it always brought joy to her face. Eri walked over to where a large pile of rocks rested right where the water met the sand. Eri liked this particular spot on the beach because she and Miki used to go there all the time. Small pools of water formed in certain spots between the rocks, and some times, small ocean creatures would end up in those pools. Eri and Miki often came and searched the small pools to see what they could find. Even though Miki no longer came, Eri still loved looking in the pools.

"Today's the day we find the magic fish," Eri said to herself. Miki used to say that to Eri every time they came to the rocks. They had been told by their elderly neighbor about a magic fish that was sure to grant a wish to anyone who found it, and since then, they had searched for it in the pools. They had found many fish, but never had it been the magic fish. Their neighbor had said that they would know that they had found the magic fish because it would be able to speak to them.

When she finally reached the rocks, she began climbing the bigger ones to find the pools. She had done this so many times that she had become an expert at it and never had any troubles. Once she found the pools, she began searching them, excited just at the thought of what she might find. By the time she decided to head home for dinner, she had found a starfish, a crab, a sea urchin, and several small fish. As started to head back, she noticed a green fish swimming in lazy circles in a pool that she had missed. She smiled down at the fish and scooped it up into the bucket she had brought with her.

"Let's get you back into the ocean," she said to the fish, carrying it over to the water.

Please help me, a soft voice said. Eri stopped walking and looked around, but didn't notice anyone.

"I must be hearing things," she decided and started towards the ocean again.

Please, don't throw me back into the water. Please help me.

"What…?" Eri said, not believing what she had just heard. She looked down at the little fish in the bucket. "I know this sounds crazy, little fish, but did you just speak to me?"

Yes, I did. And I beg of you, please don't throw me back into the ocean. I need you to save me from this spell that I have been put under.

Eri's eyes widened. "I've finally found the magic fish!" she cheered. "If I save you, will you grant me a wish?" she asked.

If that is what you would like. I will gladly grant you a wish if you are able to help me.

Eri smiled. "Alright then! I will help you. Just tell me what I have to do!" Eri was overjoyed that she finally found the legendary magic fish. She couldn't wait to tell Miki, so they could discuss what kind of wish they would make. When they were younger, they had always wished for silly things, like never ending supplies of ice cream, or to become famous. Now that the possibility of them actually having their wish granted was a reality, Eri couldn't think of a single thing that she would want to spend her wish on.

First, you'll need to gather a few things from the beach. Do you have a second bucket that you could put things into?

Eri nodded and held up the second bucket that she had brought with her.

Wonderful. Put three handfuls of sand into the bucket, as well as several pretty shells. If there are any small beach rocks or a piece of coral lying around, make sure to some of them in there too.

Eri excitedly rushed around the beach, looking for shells and coral. After finding five seashells, two pieces of coral, and a small rock, she decided she had enough. She had even managed to find a piece of seaglass, which she thought was so beautiful that it just had to be included. The small fish just swam around in the bucket while Eri worked. Eri announced that she was finished and then asked what she should do next to help free her fishy friend.

We need to go to a more secluded spot. Do you think that you could take me to your house? We'll need to set up somewhere private. You can't tell anyone what you are doing, or that you can hear me talk.

"We can go in my room," Eri said with a nod. She carefully picked up her two buckets and started walking back home. She made sure not to swing her arms while she walked so that she didn't spill the water inside of the bucket with the fish in it. She was a little sad that she wasn't going to be able to tell Miki about the fish, but she decided that she was going to make a wish that would benefit them both. That way, Miki would still be able to share in the excitement and joy in Eri's good luck.

When they entered Eri's home, the whole house was completely still and quiet. Eri knew that it meant Miki was taking a nap. She wasn't surprised though, for Miki usually napped right before dinner. Eri quietly went into her bedroom and placed the two buckets on her desk. "We'll have to be quiet so that we don't wake up my sister. She isn't feeling well, so I want her to be able to sleep."

I understand. Don't worry, we won't make much noise. Are you ready to break the spell and free me?

"Yes! I can't wait! Please tell me what to do!" Eri bounced up and down, unable to contain her enthusiasm. She couldn't believe her dream was coming true! She had imagined this moment so many times when she was little. And as much as she wished Miki could share the moment with her, she was still going to make the best of it.

I need you to first make a circle around my bucket with the sand. Then place the shells, coral, and rocks around the bucket as well. Then you need to take something off your person and place it beside the bucket as well.

Eri worked as the fish spoke, her excitement growing with each second. She removed the small golden locket that hung around her neck and set it down next to the bucket just like she was asked. Her heart was beating faster and faster as she got closer to completing the spell.

This is perfect. We're almost done. You're going to have to really focus your thoughts on setting me free. Really concentrate. Now all you have to do is repeat after me. Are you ready?"

"I'm ready!"

Bound to an undesirable body…

"Bound to an undesirable body…"

Dreams unfulfilled…

"Dreams unfulfilled…"

Heart still yearning…

"Heart still yearning…"

Until a friendly hand is outstretched…

"Until a friendly hand is outstretched…"

And the enchantment is broken.

"And the enchantment is broken."

Suddenly, a bright light appeared around the bucket. Eri covered her eyes, but never stopped thinking about the fish being freed from her spell. A strange wind blew around the room, whipping Eri's hair around her face. And then, as quickly as it all materialized, the wind and the and light disappeared. Eri uncovered her eyes and looked around. The bucket that the fish had been in was tipped over, but there was no water on the floor. The sand scattered a little, but it was nothing a few sweeps of a broom couldn't take care of. And, standing beside the desk, with Eri's locket in her hand, was a girl who looked only a few years older than Eri. She had long, wavy, sea green hair and bright emerald eyes.

She looked up and caught Eri's gaze and smiled. She walked forward and placed the locket into Ei's hands. "Hi," she said in a sweet voice, "my name is Yuri."

I'm really interested in what you have to say and what you think will happen. Also, suggestions are always welcome! Please, tell me what you think! The more reviews I get, the sooner I'll update. Thanks for reading!

Mew Painappuru