Sayonara, Uchiha
Naruto looked out at the horizon, thinking back on what he had just heard in Tsunade's office. The ANBU had finally found out where Team Hawk, at least what was left of it, was hiding. Naruto knew that Sasuke wouldn't come back without a fight, but if it came to that, then Naruto would fight with a passion equal to the fire of the burning sun.
Surprisingly though, Sasuke was just outside the gates. He was looking up at them with an empty feeling in his stomach. He entered without even looking at the people, ignoring the hateful glares he was getting from most of the villagers. The ANBU guard that had approached him scarcely a week ago had given him a message to come and meet with the Hokage regarding his returning to the village.
As he passed Naruto's apartment, he looked up instinctively but saw that the blinds were closed and no one appeared to be home. He spent the next thirty or so minutes walking in silence to Hokage tower, reminiscing about his past few months.
Having succeeded in killing Orochimaru and Itachi, he then had to do away with another member of his clan, Uchiha Madara. Now he was virtually alone and had no one. When he looked up and saw that he was in front of the door leading into the Hokage's office, he slowly knocked twice and waited.
"Enter," she called.
He entered and closed the door behind him. He stood in front of Tsunade's desk and asked,
"You wanted to see me?"
Tsunade looked up at him and said,
"Yes."
She got up and crossed her arms in front of her chest.
"I have taken into account the recent death of Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Madara...not to mention the first murder of Orochimaru. And, while most of the village will probably not agree with me, I am allowing you to come back to the village."
Sasuke had guessed that much. He looked up at her, knowing that there must be a catch. His unasked question was answered when she said,
"While you are still considered a missing-nin, I am granting you this because we here in Konoha will benefit from your killing the aforementioned ninjas. The one catch to staying here is that you must shed your Uchiha name and adopt the one of our next Hokage...Uzumaki Naruto."
Sasuke must have looked incredulous because she added,
"You two will marry in two months' time. There will be a formal ceremony and your place of residence will be christened 'The Uzumaki Compound.' Is that clear?"
Sasuke nodded and asked,
"So, me marrying Naruto will grant me clemency for my actions?"
"Correct," she said.
Sasuke looked out the window and saw two birds perched on the telephone wire. He had no objections to being married to his former best friend...so long as he didn't have to play the obedient house wife.