Author's Note: Make sure you've read Chapter 24 before you read this one. (Y'all this is technically the halfway point, chapter-wise :D).
Nephrite
When he senses the energies of Castor and Pollux vanish he grits his teeth in anger. 'They were supposed to be my strongest!' he thinks, chucking the cup of tea he'd been drinking clear across the room. "I underestimated those Sailor Guardians," he grits out to the empty flat. "I will get my chance to defeat those damn brats!" Without another moment to spare he teleports to the Dark Kingdom. He's well aware Queen Beryl is holding a briefing for Zoisite's next mission, but he's determined not to let that airheaded nuisance of a comrade take his opportunity.
He appears feet away from his fellow Commander, just as he says, "I will look into that."
"No," Nephrite interjects, "let me handle this task."
"Nephrite, don't you dare!" Zoisite snaps. "Finding the Legendary Silver Crystal is my job."
"And Earth is my responsibility," he retorts. "Therefore I will look into it." It being the potential appearance of the Legendary Silver Crystal at an upcoming ball in Tokyo. He'd heard the reports from some lower monsters and he wasn't about to let Zoisite take the glory or the opportunity to defeat the Sailor Guardians.
"Nephrite," Queen Beryl says, finally acknowledging his presence, "if the Kingdom of Diamonds does indeed have the Legendary Silver Crystal, we could revive our great ruler with the Crystal's power. The Dark Kingdom would rule this world!"
"But my Queen," Zoisite tries to interject, but the witch keeps speaking as if he never spoke at all.
"What is your plan, Nephrite?" she asks.
He shoots a glance at the Commander beside him, well aware of the other's competitive and petty nature. He mentally snorts. As if he'd give the other the chance to steal it or interfere. "I have my own way of doing things," he says instead. "You'll just have to watch and find out." He teleports out of the throne room after that, knowing his words will more than likely anger Queen Beryl. But she has given him permission to take Zoisite's place, so he's confident she won't reprimand him. Yet.
.
Zoisite
Zoisite suppresses the twitch that wants to act up from Nephrite's impertinence. "My Queen," Zoisite pleads again with Queen Beryl, "Nephrite has continuously failed to gather energy and kill those Sailor Guardians. He can't be trusted to handle a situation as delicate as this."
She replies with a devious smirk that chills Zoisite. "Because he knows he's in a tight position. He has to succeed, or the consequences will be dire."
"But –" he tries one last time, but her patience must finally have run out for Queen Beryl snaps, "Silence, Zoisite! I tire of your jealousy. Should Nephrite fail your time will come. Now leave!" He knows better than to push the Queen any further and does as she wishes immediately.
He teleports to his rooms but doesn't linger for very long, leaving them to head to his partner's just down the hall. The door opens silently to a dimly lit room, though Zoisite knows Kunzite is there. He confidently makes his way inside to where he knows his lover is seated in the shadows. "Oh Kunzite," he moans, falling to kneel at Kunzite's side. "I despise Nephrite."
A large hand comes to gently rest at the back of his head, stroking lightly. It immediately soothes his ire to simmering annoyance. "Patience, Zoisite," his lover's deep voice says. "Rewards will come to those who wait. Nephrite's time will come when we are through with him. For now, let's just watch and see what he does."