Disclaimer: I don't own Persona.

"Look!" Joker exclaimed, his eyes wide behind his glasses. "What is that?"

"Why it-" Ann stammered. "It looks like a Christmas gift!"

"It would appear so," Yusuke commented. "But why does it have a label saying 'To the Phantom Thieves'?"

"Then that must mean," Makoto murmured, "that it's a Christmas gift for us?"

"No way!" Ryuji hollered. "For real?"

The Phantom Thieves stared at the large box which sat in the middle of Joker's bedroom, covered in shiny green wrapping paper and tied up with bright red ribbon. The young man was particularly puzzled at the sight of it. It hadn't been there when he'd left his room to welcome his friends into Cafe LeBlanc. Having all agreed to spend Christmas Day together, the last thing which the Phantom Thieves expected to find was a gift for all of them.

"What does the label say?" Futaba asked. "Read it! Read it!"

Joker took hold of the label in his hands. He could see very clearly through his glasses that it was addressed to their little underground group. He turned it over to read through his lenses the message which had been scrawled upon on the back.

Merry Christmas to the Phantom Thieves!

I've taken the time to send you this very special present. It's the least you deserve after all you've done this year of changing people's hearts and restoring peace to the city. I'm sure you're going to love this gift. It's the greatest present anyone could hope to get at this time of the year - and it's all yours!

Santa Claus

For a moment, there was silence across the teenagers. All were overwhelmed by this unexpected surprise. Then they broke out of their stunned states as they began to feel excited over this resent for them all.

"What could the present be?" Haru asked jubilantly.

"Maybe it's some tracking gear?" Ryuju grinned hopefully.

"No way, it's gotta be some modelling stuff!" Ann squealed.

"Perhaps it is some art instruments?" Yusuke suggested calmly.

"Nah, it's probably some hacking equipment!" Futaba piped up.

"Well we won't know what it is unless we open it!" Makato pointed out.

"Open it, Joker! Open it!"

There was a chorus as the Phantom Thieves urged their leader to unwrap the gift. Joker was taken aback that they all collectively believe she should do the honours. Smiling gratefully at his team, he nodded as he began to untie the ribbon. He was just as excited as his allies to find out what this Christmas present for them all was. He tore off the wrapping paper, leaving the box it had covered bare. He was just to pull back the flaps to reveal what their gift was when-

"Surprise!"

The Phantom Thieves jumped as a small shape burst out of the box. They were all taken aback to see it soar up into the air. It landed in the center of the room to stand before the stunned youngsters, revealing itself in all its festive glory.

"Merry Christmas, Phantom Thieves!"

Every one of the teenagers let off loud sounds as their faces filled with shock and disbelief over discovering what their Christmas present turned out to be.

"Morgana?!" Joker cried.

A wide grin was on the cat's fuzzy face. He was wearing a Santa Claus clock on his small furry body with a matching hat on his head. He beamed at his human teammates, mistaking their staggered expressions for looks of joy.

"You're our gift, Mona?!" Futaba squeaked in astonishment.

"For real?" Ryuji groaned.

"That's right! The label did say you deserve the greatest gift anyone can get for Christmas - and you can't get anything better than me!" Morgana made his way up to Ann, purring as he nuzzled against her legs. "Ain't that right, Lady Ann?"

"Uhh, right..." Ann muttered a sweat drop ran down her head. She was determined not to find herself under any mistletoe with this obsessive admirer of hers.

The teenagers exchanges looks one another. It was clear without words that they were all disappointed with what their gift was. They had all been excited, thinking they were to receive something nice after all their hard work of changing hearts - only for their present to turn out to be their feline teammate being his usual arrogant self.

"Well, I dunno if that's true, Morgana," Ryuji said, managing a smirk. "Most people would prefer to unwrap a puppy at Christmas, not a kitty cat-ARGH!"

The blonde's mischievous smile was wiped off his face as a scream of agony escaped him from being brutally scratched by his furry comrade.

"I am not a cat!" Morgana insisted angrily. "Make sure you remember that as we go into the new year, Skull! I don't know why Santa Claws bothered included a ungrateful moron like you in getting this surprise!"

Ryuji winced as he nursed his arm where it had been slashed by Morgana. He clenched his teeth as he growled at the cat dressed as Santa. He had no reason to be thankful for this so-called present he'd received from the cat who insulted him all year round.

"A surprise from Santa Claus?" Ryuji muttered bitterly under his breath. "More like from Santa's claws..."

THE END